Algonquin Founders' Days festival returns to Towne Park

The 56th annual Algonquin Founders' Days festival is taking a step back in time with its “Turn of the Century” theme, as the festival returns to Towne Park in downtown Algonquin.

“I have a vision of this fantasy country town where everyone is running around flying kites, shooting off fireworks and this beautiful vision of a town fair,” Founders' Days Board President Alan Kirk said. “My goal with the committee is to make Founders' Days really the go-to event in the Fox Valley area that everyone will want to go to. It's decorated up neatly, lots of fun events. It's nostalgic.”

For the past three years, the festival was held at Algonquin Lakes Park due to the Algonquin Western Bypass construction. Towne Park allows for more activities to be held on Main Street and greater access for festivalgoers, Kirk said.

“It is a special year because we are bringing it back from Algonquin Lakes Park to Towne Park where it used to be,” Kirk said. “This is the time for Algonquin to be showcased. A lot of kids probably wouldn't get to go to a festival if it wasn't right here in their town. All the people that live downtown walk to the fest. That's a big deal. It's access and getting people to go.”

About 3,000 people attend Founders' Days each day for the live bands, carnival, parade, Founders' Run-Walk, dog and cat show, bake off competition, bicycle decorating competition, Social Garden and more. This year's festival runs Thursday, July 28 to Sunday, July 31.

“I think people should get out of their house and come join their neighbors, meet new people, get involved in their community and, at the same time, have fun,” Kirk said.

New to the festival this year are a car show, daily raffles and Field of Honor Flags, a row of American flags honoring fallen servicemen and women.

The car show is from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 31, on historic Main Street.

“Sunday afternoon, after the park closes, there's not much for people to do as they're waiting for the fireworks. We thought we would give them something to keep them occupied until the fireworks start,” Kirk said.

Daily 50-50 raffle prizes are Fireworks VIP seats, which include a 10-by-15-foot seating reservation for 12 people in Riverfront Park to watch the Founders' Days fireworks, as well as pizza, soda and a cooler. The first-place winner will also select someone to start the fireworks at 9 p.m. Sunday, July 31. Tickets are one for $10 or three for $25. All participants must be at least 18 years old.

“They will be Algonquin's very first fireworks launcher. They'll have a TNT box they press down on, and they'll start the fireworks,” Kirk said. “I think it's kind of exciting.”

Local businesses like All Smiles Dental in Algonquin and other organizations have been working to put together a float that will wow the judges at the “Turn of the Century” parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 30.

“I'd like to have it be a surprise. I highly doubt that there's going to be any float that's going to be anything like ours. I think this is going to be a unique float this year. We are really excited about it,” said Dr. Tim Stirneman of All Smiles Dental.

“I think it's going to be a lot of fun. I think people will be very surprised by our float and they're going to have a lot of fun with it.”

Last year during the festival, All Smiles Dental mascot Mickey the Molar, a helium-filled, tooth-shaped ballon, escaped and floated away.

“I've heard that Mickey possibly might be making a return. Bets are on that he might show up on the anniversary of his departure, which is at the kids games,” Stirneman said.

With the Summer Olympics starting on Aug. 5, families can test their athletic mettle competing in the Founders' Days Family Olympics at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 31. These games consist of multiple competitions, including a mummy relay race and a three-legged race as well as other events.

“Picture 8-year-old kids wrapping their parents to look like mummies,” board secretary Sue Bazdor said. “It's absolutely hysterical. They do an awesome job.”

Founders' Run-Walk registration begins at 7 a.m. Sunday, July 31, at Algonquin Middle School, 520 Longwood Drive, with the 1-mile run starting at 8 a.m., the 10K and 5K starting at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K walk starting at 8:35 a.m.

The registration fee for the 10K and 5K is $23 per person through Saturday, July 30, and $25 on race day. For the 1-mile run, it's $12 through Saturday, July 30, and $15 on race day.

Festival admission fees vary each day:

• Free from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 28

• Free from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 29

• $5 for adults and $2 for kids ages 5-12 from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 29

• $5 for adults and $2 for kids ages 5-12 from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 30

• $10 for adults and $2 for kids ages 5-12 from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 30

• $2 for adults and $1 for kids ages 5-12 from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 31.

Towne Park is at 100 Jefferson St., Algonquin. For details, visit algonquinfoundersdays.com.