Americana Jubilee returns to downtown Elgin July 4
Side Street Studio Arts, in conjunction with Blue Box Cafe and the Elgin Fringe Festival, will host the fifth annual Americana Jubilee from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 4. It will follow the City of Elgin's Fourth of July Parade, which steps off at 9 a.m. at Slade and Douglas avenues and ends at Douglas and Highland avenues. The parade's theme is "Ride the Wave."
There will be pie bake-off competition, pie-eating contest, live music, bounce house, visual arts exhibition, and many free kids events. Captain Ambivalent will be taking the stage around 11 a.m., followed by Bad Jokes band at noon.
Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, will once again be the location for this year's Jubilee. The event is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to attend.
The celebrity pie judges will be David Boyle, Brad French, Melodi Palermo and Carol Rauschenberger.
Bakers must submit their pie information by Tuesday, July 3, at midnight. There is a $10 submission fee per person to participate. You will receive an invoice from Side Street's PayPal after you submit your application. Two pies must be created: one for the public judging, and one for the guest judges. Pie-baking applicants must be at Side Street Studio Arts with their pies by 9:30 a.m. July 4.
Pies will be judged on four categories, with 10 points possible in each: crust, filing, presentation, and overall flavor, with a total of 40 points possible. Judges will be announced in the coming weeks.
Jubilee attendees can vote for their favorite pie.
Two awards will be given: one for the audience favorite, and one for the judges choice. Winner of the Judges' Favorite will receive a swag bag, gift certificate, and cash prize. The winner of the Audience Favorite Pie will receive a swag bag and gift certificate.
For questions, contact SideStreetStudioArts@gmail.com.
The event is supported by Kirkpatrick, Jones & Herzog Insurance Agency Inc. and the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin.