Bartlett fest has new name, but same good time
This year, Bartlett Heritage Days will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a new, shorter name - Bartlett Days - and a full lineup of family-friendly entertainment and activities Sept. 6-8 in downtown Bartlett.
"We feel that Bartlett Days more accurately describes the festival and will resonate with a wider variety of sponsors, vendors and activities," Rosanne Derango, BHD committee president, said in a news release.
"Popular activities from previous festivals will be at this year's event, plus the sound stage at Town Center will have entertainment Friday night and all-day Saturday through Sunday. We encourage area business owners, residents and nonprofit organizations to participate in this year's fest."
Bartlett Days will kick off Friday, Sept. 6, with a Sound Stage in Town Center and a beer garden at O'Hare's pub. The Rack and The Riddler will get things rocking at 7 p.m. with '90s hits from such bands as No Doubt, Green Day, Alanis Morissette and the Foo Fighters.
Saturday's Sound Stage entertainment kicks off at 10 a.m. with a special dance presentation by Grupo Folkorico Quetzal of Hanover Park. At 11 a.m., Bartlett's own Watchtower plays hits from bands such as Van Halen and Guns N' Roses. This band recently placed in the Top 10 of the Daily Herald's Suburban Chicago's Got Talent Competition.
At 2 p.m., Jason Stone performs his spot-on tribute to Elvis, delivering the hits from '50s Rockabilly to '70s jumpsuit. At 4 p.m., Yesterday's News brings '60s rock to the stage.
Finally, to round out the decades at 7 p.m., 7 DEEZ will burn down the house with Disco Inferno and all your favorite '70s Motown, funk and groove hits until 10 p.m.
School of Rock Glen Ellyn starts off Sunday at 11 a.m. with their renowned house band, then at 2 p.m. relax to the acoustical sounds of traditional Irish and Scottish music from Character Fleadh and, finally, Charlie Love and The Silky Smooth Band will get the crowd revved up at 5 p.m. with their Chicago blues.
The Bartlett Bazaar will open along West Bartlett Road at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept 7, with area vendors and nonprofit organizations eager to show their wares and ways. The Bartlett Women's Club will have bake sale in the Associated Bank parking lot until noon, and local food vendors, including Toasty Cheese, Happy Stix and Courtina's Concessions, will cook up their specialties.
At 10 a.m. on Saturday only, the popular Pet Event will begin in Bartlett Park with 15-plus area rescues bringing adoptable pets. More than 14 area pet-themed businesses will also be there. This year the Pet Event will feature pet-related entertainment at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. A raffle will take place to raise funds for participating rescues. Tickets can be purchased at the Pet Event, and donations of collars, canned cat or dog food and pet toys will be accepted in exchange for raffle tickets.
Family-friendly venues with bouncy houses, crafting, face painting, balloon creations and more will be featured at Banbury Fair, then stroll north along Oak Avenue through Jeweler's Row to Derango Dental for the Halloween Costume Sale to benefit the Alzheimer's Association.
Stop in early at the Train Depot Museum for special offers and presentations.
On Sunday, Arts in Bartlett will be open for crafting with Color My World Arts Academy featuring a Native American theme. Also on Sunday will be Immanuel United Church of Christ's nondenominational service and blessing of the animals at 10 a.m. at Bartlett Park; Bartlett High School's marching band performance from 11 a.m. to noon from Bartlett Park down Oak Avenue to Bartlett Avenue; a classic car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oak Avenue; and a cemetery walk hosted by the Bartlett Historical Society from 2-3 p.m. at 528 W. North Ave.
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Bartlett Days festival
When: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8
Where: Bartlett Park and locations throughout downtown Bartlett
Admission: Free
Details: www.bartlettheritagedays.com