Palatine Jaycees planning for 65th annual Hometown Fest
While it is only March, the Palatine Jaycees are months into the planning for the 65th Hometown Fest, which will include a large firework show, carnival, parade, movie night, live entertainment and more.
As planning is underway, the Palatine Jaycees are looking for individuals or organizations that are interested in participating in Palatine's Fourth of July celebration, which will be held June 30 through July 4 at Community Park, near Palatine Road and Northwest Highway.
"This is the 65th year we are hosting the Fourth of July festival, and we want to make this a celebration to remember," said Megan O'Brien, co-chairwoman of the festival.
"We have openings in the parade and the Arts & Crafts, Business & Charity Expo, and are still accepting sponsors. Applications for all Fourth of July events are available on the Palatine Jaycees' Hometown Fest website at www.hometownfest.org."
The parade will be held at 11 a.m. July 2. There are openings for groups who would like to enter a float or simply march in the parade. Entries cost $75 for charities and organizations and $125 for businesses.
"The Arts & Crafts, Business & Charity Expo will have more than 60 exhibits of pottery, jewelry, photography, sculptures and paintings," said Jen Anderson, this year's co-chairwoman.
"As in the past, in addition to arts and crafts, we will have a business expo as well as a charity expo for nonprofit or not-for-profit organizations."
The Arts & Crafts, Business & Charity Expo will run July 1 and 2. Exhibitors will be assigned a 12-by-12-foot space on a first-come, first-serve basis.
An arts & crafts booth will cost $100, a business booth $180 and a charity expo booth $20.
"Hometown Fest is one of the best known and attended events in the area," said O'Brien. "We have a number of different sponsorship opportunities available that will get the sponsor's name in front of tens of thousands of local residents while supporting this community's favorite project. If you would like to discuss becoming a sponsor, see our website or email sponsorship@palatinejaycees.org."
Every year, the Palatine Jaycees conduct numerous programs to serve the community and accumulate funds for operation of the chapter and community events, grants and scholarships.
Included in these projects are this year's Hometown Fest (Fourth of July festival), Christmas tree sales, Easter egg hunt, STEM Fair and others that benefit the Palatine community.