Elburn Days festival celebrates community service

Elburn Days, which opens Friday, Aug. 17 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 19, is the largest annual fundraiser for the Elburn Lions Park and Elburn Lions charities. The festival takes place at Elburn Lions Park, 500 S. Filmore St. Highlights include a parade at 6 p.m. Friday, a craft show, mud volleyball, carnival rides, food, music, beer garden, bean bag tournament, bingo, raffles, pie-baking contest and more.

The Elburn Lions Club has been hosting Elburn Days annually on the third full weekend in August for many years. It is run by volunteers and celebrates community service and volunteerism. The festival's theme for 2018 is "Serving Our Community through Vision, Literacy and Wellness."

Main stage entertainment kicks off on Friday with The Moonlight Pickers at 6 p.m., and Hairbangers Ball at 9 p.m.; on Saturday, The Glory Years at 3 p.m., Fool House Band at 5:30 p.m., Libido Funk Circus at 8:30 p.m.; and on Sunday, The Neverly Brothers at 3:30 p.m. and American English at 6:30 p.m.

A local favorite is the 40th annual Truck & Tractor Pulls at 11 a.m. Saturday ($5 admission).

Community Stage events include a hot dog-eating contest at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday; a glow party at 8 p.m. Friday with a DJ; a Jazzercise class at 9 a.m. Saturday; kids trivia at noon Sunday, and an ice cream-eating contest at 2 p.m. Sunday. There will be dance performances, a roaming magician, games, face painting and other activities.

Festival admission is free, and hours are 5-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17; noon-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18; and noon-9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19. Call (630) 365-6315 or visit elburnlions.com.