Coon Creek Country Days returns July 29-Aug. 1 with music, parade and fireworks
After taking a break last year due to the pandemic, Hampshire's Coon Creek Country Days returns Thursday to Sunday, July 29 to Aug. 1.
The 38th annual festival runs from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday; 6 p.m. to midnight Friday; 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Festival grounds are on State Street, one block south of Allen Road. Enter the festival parking area at 400 N. State St.; southbound State Street will be closed. It is free to park on festival grounds.
On Saturday afternoon, kids can stop by the kids tent, or check out the petting zoo and Touch-A-Truck. On Sunday, there will be pony rides with the petting zoo from 1 to 5 p.m.
Unlimited ride wristbands are $25 from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The craft show will be 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, and 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday.
On the opening night, the Wayne Messmer Band will perform from 6 to 7:30 p.m., followed by Friday Jackson from 8 to 10:30 p.m.
On Friday, Smokin' Gunz will open the opening act from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by Hi Infidelity from 9 p.m. to midnight.
On Saturday, Jimmy Nick & Don't Tell Mama will open the festival from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by Kovacs and Company from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Check out Mr. D's Magic Show on Saturday at 1:30, 3, 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Before the fireworks show at dusk, enjoy music by Semple, lead by singer Keith Semple, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Festival favorites Hillbilly Rockstarz will close out the evening from 9:30 p.m. to midnight.
On Sunday, Nashville recording artist Mackenzie O'Brien will bring the country to the Hampshire's Coon Creek Fest on the closing day from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Mackenzie has opened for country superstars and landed over 25 of her own songs on small market radio.
Early Sunday morning, head to Hampshire Middle School for Hampshire Township Park District's annual Coon Creek Classic 2K/10K and the Lions Club's pancake breakfast. The 10K starts at 8 a.m., followed by the 2K at 8:05 a.m. The fees until Friday, July 30, are $25 for Hampshire residents and $25 for nonresidents. Online registration closes at 4 p.m. at runsignup.com/Race/IL/Hampshire/CoonCreekClassic. Day-of registration is $30 and $35.
Then come to downtown Hampshire to watch the grand parade, which starts at noon on Washington Avenue at Warner Street and continues west to State Street, then traveling south on State and west on Terwilliger Avenue.
Sample the sweet corn at the Corn Boil from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on the festival grounds, and join in the basket raffles at 4 p.m.
Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization formed to host Hampshire's annual festival, which raises money for community service organizations in and around Hampshire. For information, visit hcccd.com.