The City of Elgin has announced an exciting line-up of events for the summer of 2011. The fun begins in May with Green Expo and the 34th Annual Valley Fox Trot, and continues throughout the summer to the third annual Elgin Short Film Festival in September. Movies in the Park will be expanded to include showings at three neighborhood parks, and Concerts in the Park will be held at both Wing and Lords Parks.
New this year will be Thunder on the Fox Boat Race on June 18 and 19, sponsored by McGrath Motorsports and the American Power Boat Association; and Kaleidoscope: Concerts on the Court sponsored by the Cultural Arts Commission.
Attached below is a complete list of all events from May through September. For more infor-mation contact the Special Events office at 847-531-7056 or go to www.cityofelgin.org/events
2011 City of Elgin Summer Events
Block PartiesIf you are planning on having a block party this year, please pick up an application for a street closure permit at City Hall. (This includes National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2nd) Make sure you don’t forget to receive your Block Party Kit when your permit is ready!
Elgin Express Train at Festival ParkBoarding all passengers! Kids come and experience the Elgin Express train at Festival Park every Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day Weekend (May 29th) through Labor Day Weekend (September 4th) from 1pm to 6pm. The fee is $2 per ride!
May 7th Elgin Green Expo “For the Beauty of the Earth”The day will be filled with a truly hands-on opportunity to learn all about the benefits of go-green/save some green, sustainable lifestyles. More than 100 of the best exhibitors in the area, including speakers and interactive programs providing everything from renewable energy in-stallations, green remodeling, ancient building techniques, testing energy efficiency of building materials/designs to what's my tree worth, how to grow your own community garden and can a goat really mow my lawn. The event is sponsored by the Elgin Climate Change Organization.
May 30th 34th Annual Elgin Valley Fox TrotThis event starts at 8am at City Hall and offers races for all levels of competition, including a 10 mile run, a 5k run and a 2 mile fun walk for the entire family. The race, which historically draws over 2,000 runners, has a loyal following of participants and community volunteers, as well as on-lookers who line the neighborhood streets to cheer on the runners. For more information visit www.cityofelgin.org/foxtrot.
June 4th IKES Fish for FunCo-sponsored by the The Izaak Walton League of America, the event is located on Walton Island from 9am until 11am and features a fishing derby for youths 15 years old and younger. Awards are presented to the largest fish in each category.
NEW: June 18th & 19th Thunder on the Fox Boat RaceAPR Superleague & McGrath Motorsports present Formula Two® & Formula Three® Tunnel Boat Races! The event will take place at the prairie knoll next to the Gail Borden Library starting at 1pm. For ticket information and event details visit www.thunderonthefox.com. Afterwards don’t forget to check out Brewfest at Festival Park!
NEW: June 25th & 26th Kaleidoscope: Concerts on the CourtEnjoy a weekend listening to great music in downtown Elgin sponsored by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission! On Friday and Saturday night from 7:30pm until 9pm there will be a cabaret at the Elgin Art Showcase. Tickets and reservations are required! Saturday from noon until 7pm a variety of musicians will be entertaining on DuPage Court and on Sunday from 1pm until 3pm the Reverands will be performing on Walton Island. All day time entertainment is free so just come with your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the show!
July 4th Elgin’s Toys on ParadeJoin over 15,000 spectators for an annual tradition that brings the whole family together! The parade takes place on Douglas Avenue between Slade and Highland and is co-sponsored by the Downtown Neighborhood Association. For more information visit www.downtownelgin.com.July 15th – 17th & 22nd – 24th AnnieLeapin' Lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes centerstage in one of the world's best-loved musicals. "Annie" is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, em-bittered Miss Hannigan. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy. The event is located at the Hemmens Cultural Arts Center and to receive ticket infor-mation visit www.hemmens.org.
July 16th, 23rd, & 30th Walkabout TheatreA unique series of street play’s held at various locations in the downtown area presented by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission. Advance reservations are required.
July 30th & 31st Art and Soul on the Fox/PasseggiataThis year’s festival promises to be truly unique-one that stirs the soul and delights the eye! A visually captivating environment brought to you by Art for All of gifted artists, hand-crafted artisans, and our phenomenal cornucopia of local musicians, poets and dancers will add to the weekend’s enchantment. The event will be located on DuPage Court on Saturday from noon – 7pm and Sunday noon to 6pm. For more information visit www.artforall-elgin.com.
September 17th Elgin Short Film Festival The Elgin Short Film Festival is the only short film festival in the area! The event is located at the Hem-mens Cultural Arts Center and includes a filmmaker’s competition of short films (20 minutes or less in length) and a red carpet gala. Tickets and information can be found at www.hemmens.org/annualfilmfestival
Concerts in the ParkPack a picnic basket and forget your drinks at home because local community groups will be selling refreshments and snacks at each summer concert. Just bring a lawn chair and come out to enjoy live music every Sunday and Tuesday in June and July. All are welcomed!
Wing Park Band shell, 1000 Wing St.Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather the concert will be canceled – please call 847-531-7000 for up-date.
Fee: FREE
June 14th – 7th HeavenChicago’s greatest cover band, come enjoy all your favorite top hits with dead on renditions of Def Lepard, The Beatles, Bon Jovi, Journey and even U2 are delivered at a frenetic pace driving you to be dancing in the streets.
June 21st - Generations “the Sixties Experience”
They perform Great Classic Rock hits from the 1964 “British Invasion” to the American guy and girl gropus, including the soul bands, to the birth of 70’s. You’ll be on your feet, Dancin’ and Groovin’ to these Great Pop Songs.
June 28th – Pirates over 40 You will enjoy renditions of Tropical favorites, including Jimmy Buffett, mixed with an eclectic mix of oldies and classic rock, all performed in their own uniquely tropical flavored style.
July 12th – Soul Cookin
Try a little Soul Cookin'! Come enjoy great sounds of the songs of the 50s, Motown sounds of the 60s, the 70s disco era, and right into the 21st Century's contemporary dance hits.
July 19th – Jonathan Devin & New Country Enjoy the latest in line-dancin’, boot-scootin’ fun, AND the greatest country songs ever!
July 26th – Soda
What’s your flavor? You’ll get everything from Johnny Cash to Dave Mathews, from Styx to John Meyer, this band can do it all.
Lord’s Park Pavilion, 100 Oakwood Blvd.Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather the concert will be canceled – please call 847-531-7000 for up-date.
Fee: FREE
June 19th – Skip Towne & the Greyhounds Let the good times roll! Come enjoy swinging jazz and novelty tunes arranged with you in mind.
June 26th – Chicago Dixie BandThis band plays blends of the great Dixieland music. A show you won’t want to miss!
July 10th – Elgin Symphony Orchestra – Brass QuintetCome enjoy our local professionals perform at their best!
July 17th – BarbershoppersEnjoy one of Elgin’s own “Minutemen of Harmony!
July 24th – Grand Avenue Big BandChicagoland's only big band featuring their Andrews Sisters style vocal trio: Strictly Uptown. You will be sure to enjoy all the hits from the 1940’s.
July 31st - Flat CatsThis band’s blend of vintage & modern music, including swinging jazz & blues, and contempo-rary classics are guaranteed to entertain you!
Movies in the ParkPack a picnic dinner and bring the whole family to sit under the stars in some of Elgin’s most beautiful park settings! Enjoy a variety of family films all summer long, all for FREE! Fun activi-ties are planned for each night, themed to the featured movie and local not-for-profits will be selling pop and popcorn! Pre-show activities start at 7:00 p.m. The movies will begin at sunset.
NEW: Classic Movie SeriesJuly 9th- E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
(Meier Park, located at Garden Drive and Gansett Parkway in West Point Gardens Subdivision)
August 13th- Raiders of the Lost Ark (College Park, located at South Gale and Spartan Meadows)
September 10th- The Rookie(Summerhill Park, located at Concord and Thoreau)
Family Movie Series(Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Avenue)
July 14th – Despicable MeJuly 21st – All Dogs Go to Heaven
July 28th – How to Train Your DragonAugust 4th – CARS
August 11th – Toy Story 3
September 17th Elgin Short Film Festival The Elgin Short Film Festival is the only short film festival in the area! The event is located at the Hemmens Cultural Arts Center and includes a filmmaker’s competition of short films (20 minutes or less in length) and a red carpet gala. Tickets and information can be found at www.hemmens.org/annualfilmfestival
For more information contact the Special Events office at 847-531-7056 or go to www.cityofelgin.org/events