Long Grove's Vintage Days market to show downtown upgrades

While its storied past still radiates appeal, downtown Long Grove's future is now becoming just as evident as the townwide restoration plan continues.

New roads, sidewalks, and lighted streetscapes are paving the way for a new generation of businesses while rejuvenating beloved mainstays. Long Grove's mission of bridging yesterday's charms with today's modern conveniences will be well represented throughout the 2019 Vintage Days market.

Vintage Days takes place 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 17-18, in downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road. Admission and parking are free.

"Long Grove will always celebrate its colorful history, but we are excited to showcase our upgrades throughout downtown," says Kendra Perri, a member of the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association. "Vintage Days is a perfect way to pay homage to our past and celebrate our future."

For the fourth consecutive year, Long Grove Vintage Days will showcase all things vintage, reclaimed, handmade, upcycled, antique and repurposed in an open-air summer marketplace. Vintage Days gives everyone, from the vintage collector to the admirer, a plethora of enduring products they can't find anywhere else.

This year's event will be showcased along the newly renovated Old McHenry Road in the heart of downtown.

Guests can peruse the 40-plus featured booths that begin at Olivia's Boutique and continue through downtown past the Visitors Center. Attendees will also have their choice of vendors serving food, snacks and beverages, including local craft beer served by the Long Grove Lions Club.

Also helping set the retro vibe at Vintage Days 2019 throughout the weekend will be the following activities:

• Live music on Saturday by Members Only, the ultimate '80s cover band, and on Sunday, Beamish, playing everyone's favorite hit songs.

• A penny carnival (old-fashioned games of skill run by kids, for kids) on Sunday at the Long Grove Historical Society Farmhouse.

• Complimentary, old-fashioned tractor rides Saturday and Sunday starting at noon (weather permitting).

• Shopping and dining options at family-owned businesses throughout the downtown - many with outdoor seating.

Parking is available at the Archer and Stempel parking lots, plus Kildeer Countryside school. For a complete schedule of events and a list of vendors, visit longgrove.org/festivals/vintage-days.