Winnetka Music Festival

WE’RE GETTING THE BANDS BACK TOGETHER!

The Winnetka Music Festival gears up for year four: take 2

After more than a year of Zoom calls, masks, distanced socializing and canceled weddings, graduations and vacations, and as vaccinations are underway, it’s time to make big plans to get back together. And what better way to celebrate the coming end of our isolation than joining the Winnetka Music Festival.

Sept. 10 and 11 will once again see some of the top emerging bands from around the country make their way to Winnetka for what has become one of the most looked-forward-to events on the North Shore. This year’s fest has been moved from the traditional June to September to allow for more time to resolve the pandemic issues. Because of the new date, the bands are just now being booked, and the lineup will be announced in early April. However, the Winnetka Music Festival will still have a similar footprint and vibe, featuring four stages centralized on the east side of Winnetka’s downtown business district.

Starting on Friday night, Sept. 10, the fest will kick off with performances on the two main stages. The festival picks up again on Saturday, Sept. 11, on the Village Green at the Family Stage with music and interactive experiences for kids of all ages. Throughout Saturday, some of the top emerging bands will be performing on both outdoor main stages as well as on the historic Winnetka Chapel stage. With more than 20 bands to choose from, the fest offers music for everyone.

The bands are selected by Val Haller, a Winnetka resident and founder of Valslist who is known in the industry for having an ear for identifying top emerging talent. “The Winnetka Music Festival has become one of the most unique and respected music festivals at which bands seek to perform,” Haller said. “Not only is the friendly, intimate fest a welcome environment for them, but the quality of the fest has become recognized in the industry as a highly sought-after place to perform. For fans both in the community and throughout Chicagoland and beyond, it’s a great way to say, ‘I saw them when’ as these bands achieve critical acclaim, including Grammy recognition, and notch appearances on late-night TV and at the most iconic festivals.”

While providing an intimate environment to hear some of the best new artists, the fest has also become a much-anticipated social event. With food trucks, beer gardens, street musicians and much more all situated in an easily walkable area, our hometown fest is a place to see and connect with friends. This year more than ever, the event offers a great way to shake off the aftereffects of the past months and celebrate together. The fact that Winnetka would even have its own namesake music festival is perhaps emblematic of our unique community, and so supporting it is one of the ways that we cement our position at the pinnacle as one of the most distinctive places to live.

The 2021 festival requires admission tickets for anyone 21 and over. Information about the lineup and tickets can be found on the Winnetka Music Festival website, www.winnetkamusic festival.com. Support the fest by buying tickets early when they are offered, contacting the fest organizers if you would like to be a patron or refer a sponsor, hosting a band or volunteering. We hope to see you there!

WINNETKA

AT A GLANCE

POPULATION: 12,417 AREA: 3.95 square miles COUNTY: Cook TOWNSHIP: New Trier ZIP CODE: 60093 AREA CODE: 847 GOVERNMENT: Council-Manager INCORPORATED: March 10, 1869 DISTANCE FROM CHICAGO: 17 miles DRIVING TIME TO LOOP: 30 minutes (average) DRIVING TIME TO O’HARE AIRPORT: 28 minutes (average) SHOPPING AND SERVICE AREA COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS: Hubbard Woods, East Elm, West Elm and Indian Hill SALES TAX RATE: 9% CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Serves as the principal representative of Winnetka’s businesses, promoting economic development, health, welfare and betterment of community PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Three elementary (K-4), one middle (5-8), one high school (9-12) PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Three elementary (K-4), one middle, one high school (9-12) PLACES OF WORSHIP: 12 HEALTH CARE: Lake Forest Hospital; NorthShore University Health System: Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie Hospitals; and St. Francis Hospital in Evanston FIRE PROTECTION: One station and a sta of 29 members: 24 sworn members, a public safety analyst and four part-time fi re inspectors POLICE PROTECTION: 28 sworn o cers, 10 full- and part-time civilian employees PARKS AND RECREATION: The Winnetka Park District o ers a variety of recreational programs and special events for all ages throughout the year. The park district maintains and operates 27 parks, three swimming beaches, a sailing beach, a boat launch, a dog beach, an 18-hole golf course, a par-3 nine-hole golf course, eight indoor and 12 outdoor tennis courts, six platform tennis courts, an indoor ice arena and an outdoor ice arena. Learn more at winpark.org POST OFFICE: One location PUBLIC LIBRARY: The WinnetkaNorthfi eld Public Library District (with locations in Winnetka and Northfi eld) is a community resource for the advancement of knowledge, and a provider of innovative and informative cultural enrichment for all ages. Books, magazines and movies are available for checkout with a district library card as well as access to our expansive digital library where you can learn a language, read a paper, stream music and movies, and download e-books and e-audiobooks. Located in the lower level of the Winnetka Library, The Studio features the latest technology and equipment, such as a 3D printer, custom embroidery machine, laser engraver and access to Adobe Creative Cloud software TRANSPORTATION: Three Metra stations: Elm Street, Indian Hill and Hubbard Woods BUS: Pace

WINNETKA

A CLOSER LOOK

The Village of Winnetka, which means “beautiful land,” features tree-lined streets, sandy beaches, renowned schools, outstanding parks, quality recreational facilities, a centralized community house, local nonprofi t organizations and many houses of worship.

The small-town spirit, charm and traditions make it one of the most delightful, friendly and dynamic villages along Lake Michigan’s North Shore. Named “one of the best places to live” by CNN Money and “the best Chicago suburb to live in” by 24/7 Wall Street, Winnetka is located 17 miles north of Chicago and is accessible from the Edens Expressway (1-94) with three Metra stations that serve the community.

BUSINESS, SHOPPING AND DINING

The Village of Winnetka features three vibrant and charming business districts: Hubbard Woods, Elm and Indian Hill with interesting shops, restaurants, specialty merchants and businesses.

Winnetka businesses o er an interesting and unique array of products and services and exceptional customer service. Retail stores and restaurants in Winnetka are easily accessible. Many visitors from outside the area make Winnetka a destination for a day of fun.

NORTHFIELD

AT A GLANCE

POPULATION: 5,420 (2010 special Census) HOUSING UNITS: 2,381 (2010 special Census) AREA: 3.3 square miles COUNTY: Cook TOWNSHIP: New Trier & Northfi eld ZIP CODE: 60093 GOVERNMENT: Council-Manager INCORPORATED: July 7, 1927 DISTANCE FROM CHICAGO: 20 miles DRIVING TIME TO LOOP: 30 minutes (average) DRIVING TIME TO O’HARE AIRPORT: 25 minutes (average) SHOPPING: Northfi eld Village Center SALES TAX RATE: 10% CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: The Winnetka-Northfi eld Chamber of Commerce PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Middlefork School (K-3), Sunset Ridge (4-8), New Trier High School (9-12) and AVOCA (K-8) PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Three daycares, four preschools, two elementary and one high school PLACES OF WORSHIP: Seven HEALTH CARE: Lake Forest Hospital; North Shore University Health System: Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie Hospitals; and St. Francis Hospital in Evanston FIRE PROTECTION: One station, fi ve captains, eight lieutenants, 37 fi refi ghters and paramedics POLICE PROTECTION:19 commissioned o cers, three civilian employees, four part-time employees AMBULANCE SERVICE:Two captain paramedics, four lieutenant paramedics, 28 fi refi ghters/paramedics PARKS & RECREATION: Community Center, outdoor ice rink, fi ve community parks, four outdoor tennis courts, four baseball fi elds, six soccer fi elds, two preschool-age playgrounds, one elementary-age playground, jogging and bicycle paths, year-round recreational programs POST OFFICE: 1787 Orchard Lane, Northfi eld PUBLIC LIBRARY: The WinnetkaNorthfi eld Public Library District provides exceptional service, reliable information, enriching programs for all ages, and welcoming spaces for everyone at both the Winnetka Library and Northfi eld Branch Library. Books, magazines and movies are available for checkout and digital download with a district library card. The Studio at the Winnetka Library features equipment such as 3D printers, a laser engraver, custom embroidery machine and large format printer. Branches are located at 1785 Orchard Lane, Northfi eld and 768 Oak St., Winnetka. TRANSPORTATION: Three Metra stations: Elm Street, Hubbard Woods, Indian Hill, all in Winnetka, and The Glen in Glenview BUS: Pace

NORTHFIELD

A CLOSER LOOK

Northfi eld is the best of both worlds: a thriving, desirable suburb and a village with hometown charm. Incorporated in 1927, the village is located 20 miles from the heart of Chicago’s Loop. With a population of approximately 5,400, Northfi eld attracts those looking for a small-town way of life with a close proximity to a large city.

When the village was incorporated, a commitment was made to protect open spaces. This commitment continues today as the village successfully balances that prized open space with commercial development. Northfi eld has more than 30 acres of open parkland that includes a bird sanctuary. The village is one of the few suburbs that issues licenses for boarding horses. The Village of Northfi eld is a warm, family-oriented community with scenic properties, an outstanding school system and a wonderful mix of businesses. The Edens Expressway (I-94) is east of Northfi eld, and the TriState Tollway (I-294) is less than 4 miles west of Northfi eld.

BUSINESS, SHOPPING AND DINING

Northfi eld is proud to be the world headquarters of Medline Industries, The College of American Pathologists and Stepan Chemical Company. There are many service-oriented business as well, such as The Fields Auto Group — BMW, Volvo, Land Rover and Jaguar. Unique locally owned stores create a strong customer base in Northfi eld’s retail business district. Many outstanding shops in Northfi eld o er antiques, specialty gifts, home accessories, jewelry, women’s clothing, women’s accessories, children’s clothing, children’s items, shoes and sporting goods.

Northfi eld also has many wonderful dining options. Patrons can choose from sophisticated fi ne dining, charming cafes, shops with specialty foods and fun family dining options.