Bloomingdale welcomes fall with Septemberfest
Cornfields may have given way to neighborhoods, office buildings and commercial enterprises in Bloomingdale, but a vestige of the town's history remains in the annual Septemberfest.
"This is the 43rd year for Septemberfest. It actually started years ago when there was still a lot of farmland around," said Bill Wolff, Septemberfest Commission chairman. "The crops were in and it was a chance for everybody to relax a little."
Once again, Septemberfest will usher in the fall season with a day of entertainment, food, a parade, a car show, a craft show, games and community fun from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, in Old Town Park, near the corner of Bloomingdale Road and Lake Street.
Wolff said Septemberfest will honor old traditions while celebrating the newly renovated Old Town area's renewal.
"The Old Town area has very recently been given a facelift. It kind of rejuvenated the area," Wolff said. "It really kind of shows how all the groups in the village come together for a common cause."
The frivolity has a good cause behind it: the commission awards $1,000 college scholarships to four Bloomingdale students through the Joe Draghi Septemberfest Scholarship Fund.
The late Draghi was a longtime Bloomingdale resident and community supporter, commission member Carole Lockhart said.
"He and his wife were active in beginning Septemberfest and instituting the scholarship program," said Lockhart.
Scholarships are awarded to students based on academic performance and community involvement, she said.
Scholarship winners will ride in a convertible car in the parade, which steps off at 11 a.m. from Dujardin Elementary School, 166 Euclid Ave. The 45-minute parade will travel north to Schick Road and continue west to Third Street and Old Town Park, Wolff said.
About 50 cars are expected to show off their charm and compete for trophies at the car show, which runs from 12:30 to 4 p.m., Wolff said, in the parking lot next to Rooster's Barn and Grill, 122 W. Lake St.
The car show will be under the direction of commission member Mitch Frumkin, a car enthusiast and author of books about cars, Wolff said.
At least eight food vendors will be at the festival, along with 51 other vendors, including crafters offering their wares and businesses promoting services, said commission member Vivi Frumkin, Mitch's wife. The Bloomingdale Lions Club will host a beer tent.
Stage shows include appearances by the School of Music, the Center Stage Dancers, a Chinese lion dance performance, Bollywood-style dancers, and a concert at 7:30 p.m. by Chicago-area band 7th Heaven.
Bloomingdale Park District tumblers will perform at 12:30 p.m., followed by a dog training demonstration at 2:15 p.m. by the Bloomingdale Police Department's K-9 Unit, Wolff said.
Kiddie carnival rides and games will be presented in conjunction with Septemberfest from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Evangelical Church, 118 First St. The kiddie carnival also will have a preview night from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, Wolff said.
If you go
What: Bloomingdale Septemberfest
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10
Where: Old Town Park, Bloomingdale Road and Lake Street
Cost: Free
Info: villageofbloomingdale.org