Palatine Jaycee Hometown Fest Coming June 30 through July 4

The Palatine Jaycees are once again sponsoring one of the largest festivals in the area in the 54th annual July 4th celebration on June 30th through July 4th at the Community Park on Palatine Road and Northwest Highway.

"The Festival theme is once again Hometown Fest,” said Kristin Bureta, Co-Chair of the Festival. "With this theme, we are highlighting the hometown atmosphere that we enjoy here in Palatine. As we always do, we’ve made this Festival for the entire community. We have events and activities for all ages with the Arts & Crafts Fair/Business & Charity Expo, the ever popular parade and fireworks, Family Day and a wide variety of food and music."

"We always plan the Festival so that there is something for everybody," said Adam Anderson, Co-Chair of the Festival. “The carnival will have midway games and rides for children as well as adults throughout the Festival and will once again this year feature the Mega Pass.  This pass will allow someone to enjoy the rides anytime the carnival is open.  The cost is $60 cash or checks only and will be sold on June 21st from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. and June 25 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the Park District main entrance located at 250 E. Wood Street in Palatine.”

On Friday and Saturday (July 1st and July 2nd) the Arts & Crafts Fair/Business & Charity Expo will have more than 50 exhibits of pottery, jewelry, paintings and a wide variety of other unique items. On Thursday, June 30th, the Jaycees will be continuing their tradition of setting aside time during the carnival for individuals with special needs. Registration will begin 15 minutes before the rides open at 2:30 p.m. Then for an hour and a half until 4 p.m., individuals with mental and/or physical disabilities and their families are invited to enjoy complimentary rides.

Bingo lovers will also be able to enjoy their passion at the Festival. On Saturday, July 2nd bingo will start at Noon and then run until 4:00 PM in the food tent at the Festival.  Also early that afternoon, starting with a Noon registration, will be the Hometown Toss Corn Hole Tournament.  For $20 per team, individuals will be able to compete for prizes and bragging rights throughout Palatine.

"Since families are what bind our community together, we have set aside Monday, July 4th as Family Day, a day of activities that the entire family can enjoy," said Bureta. "This year on Monday, July 4th from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Palatine's families will be entertained with two bouncy houses, a water balloon toss, crawling contest for babies 18 months and under, a piñata as well as an art table and rub on tattoos. At Family Day, we’ll have something for children of all ages and interests.”

The parade, which will begin on Cedar Street on Saturday, July 2nd starting at 10 a.m., will have 80 participants of which there will be 18 musical groups including the Blue Saints Drum Corp, Banjo Buddies Dixieland Band, Palatine Area Community Marching Band as well as the South Shore Drill Team.  Palatine Township officials will be collecting food for the Palatine Township Food Pantry in the 16th annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors food drive.  Individuals are also encouraged to bring food donations to the Pop and Water tent on the Festival site after the parade and throughout the Festival.

This year’s Grand Marshals for the parade are Jim and Carol Brandt of Brandt Financial Concepts, Inc.  “Jim, Carol and their company have always been involved in our community,” said Bureta.  “They have been big supporters of the Palatine Jaycees as well as many other organizations in Palatine.  Their love of our community made them the perfect choice for our Grand Marshals.”

The most anticipated event during the celebration is the fireworks display.  The fireworks show will be held on Sunday evening, July 3rd at approximately 9:30 p.m. at dusk.  This year’s show will, according to Co-Chair Anderson, "incorporate all of last year’s crowd favorite pyrotechnics as well as some that the committee feels the community will appreciate."

Throughout the Festival a wide variety of music will satisfy the senses.  Midwest Dueling Pianos will perform on June 30th while on the following day (July 1st) Donna Matrix, 20 Over as well as Mike and Joe will take the stage.  The Palatine Battle of the Bands winner, The Cowbirds, Pirates over 40, Brit Beat and Hairbangers Ball will be providing live main stage entertainment on July 2nd and on Sunday, July 3rd Function Undefined, Arthur Rightis & the Slipped Discs, He Said She Said, MellenCougar and Bucket #6 will be performing.

For food, some of Palatine's best eateries and civic groups will supply pizza, hamburgers, ribs, ice cream and some international treats to satisfy the heartiest of appetites.  Some of the restaurants and groups supplying food will be American Legion Post 690, Beef on the Move, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Georgie’s Greek Tasty Foods, Heybeck’s Meat Market, Immanuel Lutheran Church, JJ Twigs, Jamba Juice, Lee’s Concessions, Lunch Wagon, Pancho’s Mexican Food and Photo’s Hotdogs.

The Palatine Chapter of the Jaycees, one of the nearly 100 local chapters throughout Illinois, has over 150 members and is one of the largest chapters in Illinois.  The Jaycees provide individuals between the age of 21 and 40 the opportunity to develop personal and leadership skills while serving their community.

The Palatine Chapter holds their monthly general meeting on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM at the American Legion Hall on Palatine Road in Palatine.  For further information on the Palatine Jaycees, membership or any of their sponsored events write to the Palatine Jaycees, Post Office Box 1517, Palatine, IL 60078-1517, call them at 847-604-0288, email them at info@palatinejaycees.org or visit their web site at www.palatinejaycees.org.

Fourth of July Schedule
 
Thursday, June 30th
Special Needs Carnival   2:30 PM – 4:00 PM  (Check-in starts at 2:15 PM)
Adult Beverages   5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Carnival Wristbands  5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Food and Soda   5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Entertainment:
Midwest Dueling Pianos  7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Friday, July 1st
Arts/Crafts Expo  Noon – 6:00 PM
Adult Beverages   Noon – 11:30 PM
Carnival Wristbands  Noon – 4:00 PM
Carnival   Noon - Midnight
Food and Soda   Noon - Midnight
Entertainment:
Donna Matrix   5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
20 Over    7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Mike and Joe   10:00 PM – 11:55 PM

Saturday, July 2nd
Dignitaries Reception  8:15 AM - 9:30 AM  (Invitees only)
Parade           10:00 AM
Arts/Crafts Expo         Noon – 6:00 PM
Adult Beverages   Noon – 11:30 PM
Bingo    Noon – 4:00 PM
Carnival Wristbands  Noon – 4:00 PM
Carnival    Noon - Midnight
Food and Soda   Noon - Midnight
Hometown Toss   2:00 PM  (Sign up starts at Noon)
Entertainment:
Battle of the Bands winner Noon – 2:00 PM
The Cowbirds   2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Pirates over 40   5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Brit Beat   7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Hair Bangers Ball  10:00 PM – 11:55 PM

Sunday, July 3rd
Adult Beverages   Noon – Midnight  (No beer served during fireworks)
Carnival Wristbands  Noon – 4:00 PM
Carnival    Noon - Midnight
Fireworks   9:30 PM
Food and Soda   Noon – Midnight
Entertainment:
Function Undefined  Noon – 1:30 PM
Arthur Rightis & the Slipped Discs 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
He Said She Said  4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
MellenCougar   7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Bucket #6   10:00 PM – 11:55 PM

Monday, July 4th
Adult Beverages   Noon – 5:00 PM
Carnival Wristbands  Noon – 5:00 PM
Entertainment   2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Free Family Day   11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Does not include rides or food)
Food and Soda   Noon – 5:00 PM

Schedule subject to change.