Vernon Hills Summer Celebration kicks off

Vernon Hills kicked off its annual Vernon Hills Summer Celebration in Century Park Thursday and runs through Sunday, July 22. Opening day featured rides, games, food musical entertainment by local favorite Henneberry and the annual Fireworks Spectacular.

Today, the grounds open at 6 p.m. and the fun continues with carnival wristband specials, food vendors - including some new food trucks - and some beer and wine options in the beer tent for the adults. Crowd favorites Modern Day Romeos and Mike & Joe return to the stage at 7 p.m. and will perform rotating sets until 11 p.m.

Saturday will feature a car show, carnival wristband specials and free crafts for the kids under the big tent. The day will feature two country acts: the James Barker Band at 7 p.m. and David Nail as the main headliner at 9 p.m. Nail is a well-known artist with hits like "Whatever She's Got," "Let It Rain," "Kiss You Tonight," "Red Light," "Nights on Fire" and more.

Sunday is designated Family Fun Day. It opens at 1 p.m. for more kids crafts, face painting, a petting zoo and a game show. The day also includes the sixth annual Bags Tournament and wraps up with karaoke on the Big Stage.

Also returning is the Cream-The-Cop Fundraiser, where, for a $5 donation, kids and adults can "cream a cop" with a whipped cream pie. The money will be donated to a charity of the village's choosing. Last year, the event raised $1,500 for Angelman's Syndrome.

For more information, visit www.summercel.com.