When: 1:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
What: Celebrate the end of summer with your neighbors at Elgin’s Biggest Block Party on September 11 in Festival Park in Elgin! The fun begins at 1:00 p.m. and will continue through the evening. Bring the family, and meet up with your neighbors and friends in Festival Park to enjoy some old fashioned summer fun with games, food, music and much more.
The schedule of events is as follows:1 p.m. – Food vendors and Beer tent open
1 p.m. – Walk the Fit Forest – pick up tips and giveaways from participating groups along the walk route. Participate in the Fit Forest Walk to learn more about our urban forest, how to care for trees and why they are so important to our community and our world. 2 p.m. – Main Stage: “Fit Forest” Ceremony and Recognition Ceremony with Ceremonial Tree Planting. Speakers include local, state and federal officials.
Elgin’s Fit Forest Initiative is a cooperative between the City of Elgin, the Davey Expert Tree Company and ComEd to improve Elgin’s urban forest. Thanks to a $1.8 million award from the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Forest Service, the City of Elgin has been replacing 3,000 high-risk, diseased trees. Everyone is invited to celebrate the sustainability of this unique public-private initiative.2 –p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Old Fashioned childrens’ games and “block party activities, food and fun, including:
Wood Carving sculpture demonstration - Sponsored by Ralph Helm Fit Forest Kids Climb- Climbing Tree- Sponsored by Davey Tree Expert Co.
Monster Mural Kids Art Project- Sponsored by the City of Elgin Bags Tournament- Sponsored by Elgin Parks and Recreation
Plus- Touch-a-Truck, including Dump Truck and Log Loading Truck- Elgin Public Works 95.9 The River Live Broadcast
5:30 p.m. Main Stage - Od Tapo Imi www.funconcert.com7:30 p.m. – GPA Elgin Historic House Tour Award Ceremony
9:00 p.m. – Main Stage Performance by High Infidelity www.hiinfidelity.comIn addition to Elgin’s Biggest Block Party, September 11 is a day full of activities in and around the downtown area.
Following is a list of the many events going on throughout the day:
September 11th Memorial Ceremony
Sponsored by The American Legion in conjunction with the City of ElginWhen: 9:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m.
Where: Walton Island, Kimball and the Fox RiverWhat: 911 Commemoration Ceremony
Join the American Legion in this commemorative ceremony for the 9th anniversary of 9/11. Music will be provided by the Church of the Redeemer Episcopal Choir. Elgin Police Department and Fire Department will also participate with bag piper and bells. Rifle Salute provided by the American Legion Post 57 Firing Squad.Guests are invited to go to Gail Borden Library immediately following the ceremony to participate in the unveiling of a sculpture by artist George Kokines, commemorating 911. Mr. Kokines was at the World Trade Center at the time of the event, and will be conducting a program about his experiences that day, which led to the creation of this piece of work.
September 11th Commemorative 911 Art Unveiling at Gail Borden LibraryWhen: 10 a.m.
Where: Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Avenue What: Unveiling of 911 commemorative sculptures by artist George Kokines. Reception and lecture by the artist immediately following unveiling.
29th Annual Historic House TourSponsored by Gifford Park Association
When: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.Where: Registration at Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Avenue
What: 29th Annual Historic Housewalk featuring homes on the near west side of Elgin. Tickets $15 available at www.gifford-park-assoc.org/tour10 or on sale at Als’ Café, Jewel Stores or Ziegler Ace Hardware, $20 day of event.
2010 Downtown Elgin Car Show and Midwest Green Car Expo
Sponsored by Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin
When: 9 am – 3 pm.Where: Civic Parking Lot, Highland and Douglas
What: Over 300 car clubs and businesses have been invited to participate!-The Downtown Elgin Car Show will feature all makes and models - hot rods, classics, and antiques.
-The Midwest Green Car Expo will showcase alternative fuels and technologies – electrics, hybrids, veggie oilers & other specialty vehicles.-This year, there will be a special patriotic tribute to all the brave men and women of our police, fire rescue, and military.
-Booth and sponsorship opportunities are available for either show.-For more information on The Downtown Elgin Car Show or The Midwest Green Car Expo visit www.downtownelgin.com or call (847) 488-1456.
The Next Wave Art Salon
Sponsored by The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin
When: September 10th (VIP Night) and Saturday, September 11th from 6-10pm (Open to the Public).
Where: 166 Symphony WayWhat: The Next Wave Art Salon is a two-day event that brings together artists of all different backgrounds and mediums in a “found space” in downtown Elgin on Friday, The Salon is geared to attract artists of all genres, from visual to performance, with innovative approaches to their art form. This is a radically-inclusive event, so that means all work is permitted. Three $1000 prizes will be awarded. For more information on The Next Wave Art Salon, visit < a href="http://www.thenextwave.me">www.thenextwave.me or call (847) 488-1456.