Downtown Palatine Street Fest returns this weekend

Downtown Palatine Street Fest is worth checking out this weekend, whether you're looking to show off a killer chili recipe, parade your lovable pooch around or hear some first-rate live music.

The community festival begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Slade Street and Brockway Avenue.

Saturday main stage headliners Smash Mouth, a band whose hits have been featured on several movie soundtracks, will be preceded on Friday night by headliners Wedding Banned. Local favorites Mike and Joe do the headlining honors Sunday night.

The music gets started at 5:30 p.m. Friday with a performance by The Officials, a local high school band, followed by a set from Behind Closed Doors, a group of junior high musicians. Both bands, said Sam Trackas, Palatine's assistant village manager, won their places on the Street Fest bill after giving the best performances at the Palatine Park District's Battle of the Bands earlier this summer.

The younger set of festivalgoers will get their own entertainment options in an area separate from the main stage.

"We have two stages, one for kids," said Trackas. The lineup includes the Jesse White Tumblers, kids' karaoke, a clown, face painting and a pie-eating contest.

"There's also cookie creations. That's new this year," said Trackas, explaining that kids will get a chance to decorate their own doughy morsels at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Visitors can also sample the spectrum of Palatine's culinary establishments.

"We have a record number of restaurants this year," said Trackas.

A total of 16 eateries will offer an array of festival fare that includes pulled pork, beef brisket, burritos, ribs, chicken wings, crab Rangoon, gumbo, pizza, hot dogs and ice cream.

The best chili in town will be named at 12:30 p.m. Sunday during a chili cook-off, right after the 11:30 a.m. Sweet Pea Pet Parade. Pets are prohibited on Friday and Saturday, so Sunday is the day to take them out for a stroll at Street Fest.

The festival also includes a teen dance party at Durty Nellie's Friday night, a Saturday morning farmers market, bingo all day Saturday and a 3K Family Fun Run and Walk Saturday morning.

Trackas said the Downtown Palatine Street Fest, a fun way to wind up summer, is in its 9th year and historically draws a big crowd.

"We have approximately 45,000 to 50,000 people every year. That's, of course, weather dependent," he said. "It's basically a block party. We have a lot of activities."

Trackas said village employees and nonprofit organizations get into the festival in a big way, many volunteering their time to help out with ticket and beer sales and clean up.

Proceeds from children's games, he said, are donated to a host of nonprofit groups.

Downtown Palatine Street Fest

Three-day festival begins Friday in downtown Palatine, north of Palatine Road, between Smith and Bothwell streets. Park free at the Gateway Center lot at Smith and Colfax. Admission free.

FRIDAY 5 p.m.-midnight

5:30 p.m. The Officials, cover and originals by local high school juniors, main stage

6-9 p.m. Street Fest Teen Dance Party, Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St.

6:45 p.m. Behind Closed Doors, main stage

8 p.m. Modern Day Romeos, party band, main stage

10 p.m. Wedding Banned, musical experience show, main stage

SATURDAY 11 a.m.-midnight

7 a.m.-1 p.m. Farmers' Market, train station, 137 W. Wood St.

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Outdoor bingo

11 a.m.-8 p.m. Kiddie games

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Face painting

Noon Health Quest Fitness Demo

12:15 p.m. Music Room Jazz Band, main stage

1 p.m.-4 p.m. Twinkles the Clown

1:30 p.m. Jessie White Tumblers

1:45 p.m. Kevin Mileski, main stage

3 p.m. Justin Roberts and the Not Ready For Naptime Players, main stage

4:30 p.m. This Must Be The Band, Talking Heads covers, main stage

5 p.m. Health Quest Fitness Demo

6 p.m. Rock Band Karaoke

6 p.m. Chicago Rock Circus, rock, magic, illusion, main stage

8 p.m. Hi Infidelity, classic rock covers, main stage

10 p.m. Smash Mouth, retro pop, main stage

SUNDAY 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

8:30-9:15 a.m. Registration for Street Fest Feet Fest at Town Square

9:30 a.m. Street Fest Feet Fest, 3K family fun run/walk

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Kiddie games

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Face painting

11:30 a.m. Sweet Pea Pet Parade

Noon-4 p.m. Twinkles the Clown

Noon Health Quest Fitness Demo

12:30-1:15 p.m. Chili tasting and voting for public, $5 donation to Appletree Campaign

12:30 p.m. Charissa Mrowka, main stage

12:30 p.m. Animals for Awareness

12:30 p.m. Chili Cook-Off

2 p.m. Bandit, main stage

2 p.m. Mad Science Guy

2 p.m. Cookie Creation

3 p.m. Kids Karaoke

3 p.m. Pie eating contest

4 p.m. Murley Shertz, unique originals, tasteful covers, main stage

6 p.m. Mike & Joe, main stage