Classic cars, Cow Pie Moo-Lette, a 'duck' race all at Shermerfest
The Cow Pie Moo-lette, the "CARavan," the flowery mums and a newcomer - the Northbrook Rotary's annual Rubber Ducky Race - are back, live and in-person, Sunday at Shermerfest in Northbrook.
The 43rd Shermerfest, noon to 4 p.m. at Village Green Park, will certainly be an improvement over the 42nd, when the COVID-19 pandemic limited it to a taped Moo-lette and CARavan that was replayed on Facebook Live.
In 2020 the Rotary didn't hold its duck race, which brings in money the Northbrook chapter uses to support a variety of charitable causes.
"Everybody missed being together last year, so it's really nice that we're all getting back together," said Judy Hughes, president of the Northbrook Historical Society, the event organizer.
"It's re-imagined because when we started planning we weren't sure what COVID (precautions) were going to be, and we still don't know," she said.
"So we've re-imagined what we've done so it won't look like what Shermerfest used to. But by partnering with other groups, I think we will provide something that's fun for everyone of all ages."
The Historical Society is presenting Shermerfest in partnership with the Village of Northbrook, Northbrook Park District, Sunset Foods, Northbrook Arts Commission, the Northbrook Rotary Club and the North Suburban YMCA.
The 21st Classic Northbrook CARavan starts the event at 10:30 a.m., rolling out of the North Suburban YMCA lot on Techny Road, winding through Covenant Living of Northbrook ("where it was a big hit" last year, Hughes said) then through town past Crestwood Place and on to Village Green Park, 1810 Walters Ave.
Along with the classic car and trucks, Shermerfest will display an ancient Reiland & Bree truck, manufactured around 1926 in Northbrook, refurbished by Historical Society volunteers during the 2020 pandemic downtime. Last year the truck hit the road for the first time in 30 years, Hughes said. She believes it's the only vehicle of its kind in existence.
Shermerfest will offer music in the Village Green gazebo by the Northbrook School of Music and Beer, stocked with members of the Sons of the American Legion (Post 791) playing tunes from the 1950s-80s. Mums, courtesy of sponsor Sunset Foods, will be available for purchase, as will ice cream, popcorn, soda and water.
People are encouraged to bring chairs and their own picnic lunches or carryout from downtown restaurants.
The Historical Society, which reopened on July 3, will lead downtown tours at 12:15 and 3:15 p.m. of historic sites.
"There's lots of history hidden in plain sight in our downtown," Judy Hughes said.
At 1:30 p.m. the third Cow Pie Moo-lette takes place in the park. Last year confined to Wagner Farm, on Sept. 19 a well-fed heifer will again patrol Village Green Park, depositing a "pie" on a grassy grid containing 289 squares. People pay $20 for a square, with a lucky winner earning up to $1,000.
A new event presented by the Northbrook Arts Commission, "Chalk Up Northbrook" runs from noon-2 p.m. for children 12 and under. Children can decorate the sidewalk along Meadow Road with colorful chalk.
At 2:30 p.m. the Northbrook Rotary Rubber Ducky Race begins. Debuting on Earth Day 2003 by a committee Hughes co-chaired, money raised by this event is used to support local and international projects.
"It's great fun," said the Rotary's Kathi Quinn. "It's a great way for engaging families. Kids see their little ducks, they've got their numbers, everyone's cheering their ducks on."
Cash prizes are awarded to the first three placewinners, with $1,000 going to the winner. Ducks are available until Saturday morning, available online by scrolling down on the Rotary website landing page, northbrookrotary.org.
Tickets for ducks, which come in lots of 1, 5 or 15, may also be purchased at Sunset Foods, Waterway Carwash, Dairy Queen, the North Suburban YMCA or at Starbucks.
Proceeds from the Rubber Ducky Race have gone to places like the Boy Scouts, Hunger Resource Network, Cancer Wellness Center, Keshet, the Josselyn Center and the Center on Deafness.
"It's important," Quinn said. "It's a good way for people to do good stuff and have a fun time."
For information on Shermerfest, visit www.northbrookhistory.org.
"This is the second oldest outdoor event in our community (following the Northbrook Days Festival), and it's always been a space and a place where people could come together and have a wonderful time. It's very low-key, a down-home feeling to the event," Hughes said.
Shermerfest
When: Sunday, Sept. 19
What's happening:
• Classic Northbrook CARavan at 10:30 a.m. starting from the North Suburban YMCA, 2705 Techny Road, and proceeds to Village Green Park, 1810 Walters Ave.
• Shermerfest from noon to 4 p.m. at Village Green with music, tours, Rotary rubber ducky race, Chalk Up Northbrook, Cow Pie Moo-lette and more.
Info: northbrookhistory.org