From right to left, Emma Withycombe, 9, Yvonne Carman, 9, and Sophia Christofalos, 8, all of Libertyville, compete in the watermelon-eating contest Sunday during the last day of Libertyville Days. Emma won the competition for the second year in a row.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
The annual Libertyville Days festival wrapped up Sunday, ending another four-day run of food and fun.
The theme for the 2018 festival was "Libertyville, A Beautiful Place in the Country!" It is a tribute to the village's farm and country past, as well as recognition of the "Mile of Cars" automobile district along Milwaukee Avenue - a familiar sound on Chicago-area television and radio in the 1970s and '80s was Weil Cadillac's "A beautiful place in the country" jingle.
In addition to food and carnival rides, this year's festival included a renewed focus on four nights of quality musical acts for the main stage area, organizers said. Musical acts included Modern Day Romeos, Ivy Ford, Betty Soul, Fletch Rockwell, WheelHouse and Mellencougar.
Other festival highlights were the Miss Libertyville pageants, Children's Party and Children's Bake Off, youth stage performances, the parade, a watermelon eating contest and an appearance by the Agriculture Lake County Farm Group.
Tommy Sternberg, 6, of Hawthorn Woods competes in the watermelon-eating contest Sunday during the last day of Libertyville Days. The final day included a crafts fair, a bags tournament and music from School of Rock and Mellencougar.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Five-year-old Lauren Jerram of Arlington Heights brings a fan to keep her cool Sunday during the last day of Libertyville Days.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.comAmy Flischel of Lake Forest holds her son, Reed, 3, with her daughter, Kaelyn, 5, ahead as they ride down the super slide Sunday during the last day of Libertyville Days.
Mellencougar performs on the Main Stage during the last day of Libertyville Days on Sunday. The final day included a watermelon-eating contest, crafts fair, a bags tournament and musical entertainment.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Dominic Thomas, 3, of Libertyville picks a duck for a prize Sunday during the last day of Libertyville Days. The final day included a watermelon-eating contest, crafts fair, a bags tournament and music from School of Rock and Mellencougar.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com