There's Fun for All Ages At Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest 2011

Hometown Fest 2011 has something for everyone from carnival rides to fireworks, '80s cover bands to arts and crafts, and corn dogs to cotton candy. 

The 54th annual July 4 celebration, held at Community Park, off Palatine
Road near Northwest Highway, begins Thursday, June 30.  The celebration runs through Monday, July 4.

Food vendors will include Beef on the Move, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, Georgie’s Greek Tasty Food, Jamba Juice, JJ Twigs Pizza & Pub, Lee’s Concessions, Pancho’s Mexican Food, Photo’s Hot Dogs, Heybeck’s Meat Market and Lunch Wagon.

Adult and regular beverages will also be available throughout the fest.

Thursday, June 30

On opening day, the Special Needs Carnival kicks of at 2:30 p.m. The Windy City Amusements carnival will open to the public at 5 p.m.

Midwest Dueling Pianos will provide entertainment that evening starting at 7 p.m. and the carnival will be open until 10 p.m.

Friday, July 1

On Friday, July 1, festivities begin at noon with arts and crafts until 6 p.m. and the carnival running until midnight. 

Three different entertainment groups will perform that night: Donna Matrix will be on stage from 5 to 7 p.m., 20 Over starts at 7:30 p.m., and Mike and Joe will finish off the night ending their performance just before midnight. 

Saturday, July 2

The Independence Day parade will be held on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. beginning at Cedar Street with around 80 participants marching.

Arts and crafts will begin at noon on Saturday and run until 6 p.m., along with the carnival that will remain open until midnight.

A big line-up of entertainment is planned for Saturday, starting with the Battle of the Bands winner at noon, the Cowbirds at 2:30 p.m., the Pirates over 40 at 5 p.m., Brit Beat at 7:30 p.m. and Hair Bangers Ball will round out the evening starting at 10 p.m. playing their tunes until just before midnight.

Sunday, July 3

On Sunday, July 3, the carnival again starts at noon along with bingo.  Fireworks will be held that night at dusk, which is expected to be around 9:30 p.m. at Community Park.   

Entertainment will include Function Undefined at noon, Arthur Ritis and the Slipped Discs at 2 p.m., He Said She Said at 4:30 p.m., Mellen Cougar at 7 p.m. and Bucket Number 6 starting at 10 p.m. and ending just before midnight.

Monday, July 4

On Monday, July 4, the last day of the fest, the carnival starts at noon and ends at 5 p.m. 

It  is a Free Family Day which will include singing and dancing on stage for the whole family from 12:30 p.m. until 1 p.m., games from 1 to 2 p.m., a crawling contest for babies 18 months and under, a water balloon toss, three-legged race and piñatas.

Carnival wristbands, that are good for unlimited rides one day only, from noon to 5 p.m., can be purchased for $20.

The Mega-Pass allows unlimited rides everyday during operating hours for a cost of $70.

Hometown Fest is run by the Palatine Jaycees.

This article was updated to read: Carnival wristbands, that are good for unlimited rides one day only, from noon to 5 p.m., can be purchased for $20.  June 30 at 1 p.m.