Carpentersville music fest to showcase variety of genres
In order to make the Odd Fellows Rock the Fox Music Fest in Carpentersville more inclusive, Century Lodge 492 decided to not charge an admission fee.
“We want it to be a community event where it's open up for families to come on in and enjoy themselves,” Century Lodge member Jeremy Soderstrom said.
Seven bands, with styles including rock, blues, jazz and country, will perform during the festival, which takes place Friday through Sunday, Aug. 19-21, in Carpenter Park.
Century Lodge is a fraternal organization that is part of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The lodge has been in Carpentersville for 116 years and works to help anyone in the community that is in need, as well as to support local organizations and provide scholarships.
The music festival is the only fundraiser the lodge has for this year.
“We have a good relationship with the community, and we were trying to find a fundraiser that would be fun but also be charitable to the community,” Century Lodge member Bob Andry said.
“It's a celebration of music and summer and a celebration for everyone to come together. Music has always been a big part of celebrating,” Soderstrom said. “We try to make a variety for all types of music, all genres if possible because not everyone likes one type of music.”
In addition to the live music, the festival includes carnival rides, face painting, art projects for kids, and a beer garden, as well as the Knights of Columbus corn roast.
“If somebody shows up there they should be able to find something that would be entertaining for them,” Andry said.
When choosing which bands would perform at the festival, lodge members looked for bands that were available and understood the values of the organization. Some of the bands performing include Vertical Jam, Universal Slim and the Blue Kangaroos as well as Evolution Jazz Assemble.
“When a band makes several hundred dollars a night and they are willing to (lower) their fee because they see the value in what we are doing, we are willing to put them on the stage,” Andry said.
On Sunday, Aug. 21, the lodge is opening up the stage to local acts who are hoping to start performing in front of large audiences.
“It's not necessarily younger people, but people who would like to get a little exposure in the community. We are extending the olive branch,” Andry said.
Century Lodge 492 changed the name of the festival this year to Odd Fellows Rock the Fox Music Fest because people were getting the Carpentersville festival confused with other Rock the Fox Music Fests in the Fox Valley, Andry said.
“We tried to put a brand on it this year, so we could stand on our own here, whether it's good or bad,” he said.
Kids can enjoy the carnival with unlimited rides for $25 from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 20-21.
The festival is open from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19; 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20; and 1 p.m. to close Sunday, Aug. 21. For information, visit the Odd Fellows Rock the Fox Music Fest Facebook page.