South Elgin Riverfest Express drops one day, adds new bands

In a society where so much socializing takes place online, events like Riverfest Express, which offer a chance to see your neighbors in person, are more important than ever, says Susan Wright, secretary for South Elgin's annual festival.

“A lot of people come year after year and they see people who they haven't seen for a year,” Wright said. “You might know a lot of people in town and at the festival you think, ‘Hey, I know that guy.' You stop and talk to them. Some people refer to it as ‘The Reunion' because they get to see people they haven't seen for a while.”

The festival opens Friday, Aug. 17, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 19, at Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St., South Elgin. Admission is free.

“We started in 1997 as a centennial celebration and everyone said it was so much fun we had to keep doing it,” said Chairwoman Joyce Ware, who has volunteered since its inception.

Those who attend this year will notice a few differences. For one, the festival will last three days instead of four, and nine out of 10 entertainers are new to the fest.

“We have a lot of new entertainment this year with only one returning band,” Wright said.

A variety of music will be featured in genres such as classic rock, contemporary, Southern alternative, alternative rock, funk and blues. Headliners include Wedding Banned on Friday, Six String Crossing on Saturday, and Industrial Drive on Sunday.

For the kids, the newest addition to the lineup will be Mr. D's House of Magic and Illusion. He'll do 45-minute magic shows starting at 12:15 p.m., according to Wright. Daily carnival rides are offered through Windy City Amusements.

Riverfest also features a free, award-winning program for differently-abled kids and their families. A Special Night for Special Kids will be on Thursday, Aug. 16, instead of Wednesday, as it had been in previous years. It will provide an evening of free fun for special needs children and their families from 6-9 p.m.

“We've been doing this for about 20 years,” Ware said. “We won the Kane County Chamber of Commerce Award for volunteerism, we won the Governor's Hometown Award for Special Night. We are the only organization that won for an event. We're quite proud of that.”

Volunteers help out, and carnival rides and food are provided by donation.

“We had about 50 people the first year and last year we had over 1,200 checked in. We ask people to preregister at (847) 774-1154,” Ware added.

Trolleyfest is on

Following an act of vandalism earlier this year that caused $110,000 worth of damage to seven trolley cars and a caboose, the nearby Fox River Trolley Museum will be open this weekend, according to Damin Keenan, assistant trainmaster at the museum.

“Our volunteers have been working very hard to repair the damage and we have been fortunate to be the recipient of many generous donations.”

“We're going to be open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” said Keenan. “We plan to have three or four repaired and in service. Rides are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and $2 for ages 3-11. Babies are free.”

The trip is a two-mile excursion that begins at the trolley museum at 365 S. La Fox (Route 31).

“We go from our museum site, along the Fox River and into the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve. The trip takes about a half-hour,” said Keenan.

Other attractions

About 50 crafters and businesses will set up outside the village hall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for the arts and crafts fair. Eleven food trucks will also be selling a variety of food and drink. A fireworks show takes place at 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

A car show will run on Saturday and Sunday with registration from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All years and makes of cars, trucks, and motorcycles are welcome. Awards are at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19. The car show will take place at County Park near the Fox River at Route 31 and West Plum Street, near the trolley museum.

For details, visit riverfestexpress.net or call (847) 774-1151.

South Elgin Riverfest Express

<b>When:</b> 5 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19

<b>Where:</b> Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St., South Elgin

<b>Admission:</b> free

<b>Information:</b> Visit <a href="http://riverfestexpress.net/">riverfestexpress.net</a> or call (847) 774-1151