Mane Event the place to be in Arlington Heights
One of the biggest weekends of the summer kicked off Friday night in downtown Arlington Heights with the annual Mane Event block party.
Thousands of residents filled the streets, sampling specialties from 20 local restaurants and accepting giveaways from more than 70 business exhibitors, all with a backdrop of live music and children's activities.
"It's a signature event for the village," said Joe Musolino, chairman of Arlington Heights' Special Events Commission.
The festival atmosphere continues at noon on Saturday with the Taste of Arlington Heights and runs until 11 p.m. Most of the same restaurants will return, along with children's entertainment and performances by the top 10 performers in the Suburban Chicago's Got Talent competition, starting at 2:30 p.m. The winner will be announced at the Taste.
Chamber of commerce officials estimated that the combined events, which herald next weekend's Arlington Million, would draw more than 20,000 people over the course of the two days, but already on Friday night Arlington Heights police estimated attendance to be higher than last year's.
"This is amazing," said Mayor Tom Hayes as he looked over the crowd. "It's another in a series of great events put on by our Special Events Commission. It represents what Arlington Heights is all about, and why we're called the City of Good Neighbors."
Neighbors meeting up with neighbors seemed to be at the heart of the event. Tracey Martin of Arlington Heights and her husband, Bob, stationed themselves in the middle of the main intersection, figuring they would run into people there.
"You know you're going to run into everyone you know here," Tracey Martin said.
Another set of Arlington Heights neighborhood friends, Karen and Steve Niesman and Tim and Colleen Quenan, came early to scout the restaurant booths before enjoying the music.
"It's just a chance to connect with old friends at this vibrant community event," Steve Niesman said.
The live music helped drive the event's energy. Pamela Rose and Windy City Country opened, and then Jake and Ellwood and the Blooze Brothers pulled up in their signature police car and took the stage to belt out "Gimme Some Lovin.'"
"This crowd tonight is off the charts," said Chuck Little of Poplar Grove, who doubles as Ellwood in the band. "This is one for the record books for us."
Food choices also spiced up the party. A long line formed for the Pad Thai combination offered by Bangkok Café, while others tried the walking tacos from Mago Cantina and the hickory smoked pulled pork sandwiches from the Rack House.
Ed Bjes of Buffalo Grove and his wife, Katie, enjoyed roasted ears of corn while pushing their two young sons in a double stroller. Bjes serves as recreation supervisor of the Roselle Park District, and he took note of the record attendance.
"It's nice to see so much community support," Bjes said. "A lot of towns would like to have something like this in their communities."
Saturday's stage lineup includes popular cover bands, starting with the Self Righteous Brothers at 4:30 p.m., Exit 147 at 6:30 p.m. and Infinity at 8:30 p.m.