Lake Zurich Lions Club set to kick off 74th Alpine Fest
Editor's note: The byline was incorrect on the story about Lake Zurich's Alpine Fest in the Thursday, July 14, Lake County Neighbor. The writer's name is Jim Lumsden.
The festival that has been a community tradition in Lake Zurich since 1942 continues again this year with three days of food, activities and musical entertainment.
Alpine Fest, sponsored by the Lake Zurich Lions Club, begins Friday, July 15, and runs through Sunday, July 17, at Lion Fred Blau Park, 81 E. Main St., Lake Zurich.
"It began as a way of raising some money so that we could buy token gifts for Lake Zurich guys who were going off to fight in World War II," Lions Club President Mary Tackett said. "Now it is the community's biggest event and the Lions Clubs' way of generating the money we need to help keep our lake clean and stocked with fish, help to those in our community who are blind or hearing-impaired, maintain our park for use by our residents, and provide other services to Lake Zurich and surrounding towns."
This year's Alpine Fest kicks off with a fire department water battle on Main Street, and continues with the customary carnival rides, youth entertainment, food, beer, and music from some of the area's best bands.
"We have special entertainment for our kids," said Tackett, who noted Mad Science on Saturday and Dave DiNaso's traveling reptile show on Sunday as two of the offerings.
The usual burgers, hot dogs, brats and Italian sausage sandwiches will be served, plus traditional fest favorites such as funnel cakes, cotton candy, pizza slices, bloomin' onions, chicken wings and fries. Beer will be available under the big top tent where the bands play.
Speaking of music, bands will perform on Big Top Main Stage all three days. They include: EVO II, 6 to 7:45 p.m., and Hillbilly Rockstarz, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday; Face N Time, 3:30 to 5:15 p.m., 7th Heaven, 6 to 7:30 p.m., and ARRA, 8:15 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Sunday bands are Out of Storage, 2:30 to 5:15 p.m., and Sonic 7, 6 to 9 p.m.
One of the highlights of the festival is the annual parade on Main Street that steps off at 11:30 a.m. at Ela Road and Route 22 and follows Main Street to Lions Park. It is billed as Lake County's biggest parade, and will include more than 50 entrants, including local businesses, community organizations, various bands, the Volunteer Fire Department pumper fire truck, and Medinah Shriner units such as magic carpets and equestrian units.
Festival hours are 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and 1 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, visit www.lzlions.com.