8 minute read
On the calendar in DeKalb County
by Shaw Media
SUMMER
EVENTS ARE BACK
EVENTS ARE BACK
IN DEKALB COUNTY
By: Jessi Haish LaRue
As COVID-19 related restrictions ease, DeKalb County is slowly returning to “normal,” and with it comes a variety of fun summer events. “Everyone is going to try to go full-steam ahead,” said Katherine McLaughlin, the sales and marketing coordinator for DeKalb County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Most events will be held outside, offering hand washing and sanitizing stations, and overall, everyone is looking forward to the future, she said. “Everyone wants to be out and doing something,” McLaughlin said. “And people feel more safe and comfortable outside.” McLaughlin encourages DeKalb County residents to explore their “backyard” this summer for good food, live music, and outdoor fun. “Explore where we are,” she said. “We have so much to offer that people don’t even realize. Our county is large. We have a lot of different towns and each community offers something. We should all come together and support each other.” Some new changes to events include this marking the first summer that the Egyptian Theatre will be open with programming since the theatre opened in 1929. This is due to the recent addition of air conditioning for the first time since the theatre opened. Because of this, the Egyptian Theatre and Corn Fest are excited to move the long-running Corn Fest Community Stage from outside to the Egyptian Theatre stage inside. This will provide an amazing opportunity to showcase even more local talent during the weekend of Corn Fest. There will be 21 different acts this year representing all types of music, dance, theatre, and more. Performance groups from throughout DeKalb County and from Northern Illinois University will grace the Egyptian Theatre stage during the weekend. These performances are free and open to the public. The complete schedule can be found on the Egyptian Theatre website at www.egyptiantheatre.org and on the Corn Fest website at cornfest.com. “We are so excited to welcome the Corn Fest Community Stage into the Egyptian Theatre,” said Egyptian Theatre Executive Director Alex Nerad. “This will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the recent improvements to the Egyptian including new restrooms, concessions, expanded lobby space, and air conditioning! This enhancement to Corn Fest weekend is just another reason to come experience what Downtown DeKalb has to offer during the festival.” This will also be the first year that Corn Fest will have advance online purchase of their soundstage passes. “We felt this was the perfect time to ease the lines at the gates for a smooth flow into the soundstage area” stated Corn Fest Chairperson Lisa Angel. “We will also have the option of using credit cards to purchase your beverage tickets once inside which we haven’t had before.” Tickets will be available to purchase on cornfest.com at the beginning of July. Advance purchase of a weekend soundstage pass will be $20 and single day $8 until Aug. 1st. After that date, weekend passes will be $30 and single day will be $10. The headliners this year will be 7th Heaven on Friday night, HiInfidelity on Saturday and Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry on Sunday. For the full music lineup visit cornfest.com or visit their Facebook page at DeKalb Corn Fest.
The DeKalb County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau also recently launched the free tourism app “Out & About DeKalb County,” which can be downloaded onto a cell phone or tablet via Google Play or the Apple App Store. The app includes self-guided tours of popular locations within the county, including the Egyptian Theatre. New sites will be added to the app frequently, McLaughlin said. Visit www.dekalbcountycvb.com for a complete list of county summer events to see what is new and exciting to explore. Below are some of the events to enjoy in DeKalb County this summer:
JUNE
“MUSIC IN THE PARK” CONCERT SERIES Downtown Shabbona Free live music will be featured at the gazebo near Sandwich’s Opera House every Wednesday through August 25. Food trucks will be available during the concerts.
“MUSIC IN THE PARK” CONCERT SERIES Dee Palmer Band Shell, Hopkins Park in DeKalb DeKalbMunicipalBand.com Every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. from June through August 17, the DeKalb Municipal Band will perform concerts for its 167th summer season. Concerts include the “Star Spangled Spectacular” on July 4 and “Night at the Movies” on July 13.
“MUSIC AT THE MANSION” CONCERT SERIES Ellwood Mansion, DeKalb This concert series program will be featured on the grounds of the Ellwood House on June 23, June 30, July 14, July 21, July 28 and August 4. The main act begins at 7 p.m. each date. Local talent will be featured shortly before the main act. Craft shows, classic car shows and other events will be new this year. For sponsorship info contact FunMEevents@ aol.com. Concerts sponsored in part by: The Ellwood House Museum, Steve & TJ Irving, Claesson Carpet Cleaners, Katherine Gannon Realtors, Michael Embrey, and others.
JULY
KIRKLAND LIONS CLUB 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION July 2 - July 4 Kirkland4thofJuly.com This annual three-day event features carnival games and rides, a beer tent, flea market, and fireworks. The event’s music headliner is country start Lainey Wilson, who will perform July 2. Other events include friendly rivalry games between the local fire and police departments, as well as a magician and other live entertainment for all ages.
WATERMAN LIONS SUMMERFEST & ANTIQUE TRACTOR & TRUCK SHOW July 17 WatermanLionsTractorShowandSummerfest.com Waterman’s annual festival features a morning tractor parade, a drive-thru meal, raffles, fireworks, and outdoor movie. Families and children of all ages will enjoy this all-day event.
TURNING BACK TIME CAR SHOW - DOWNTOWN SYCAMORE July 24 & 25 DiscoverSycamore.com Hundreds of classic cars will be on display in downtown Sycamore for this year’s annual Cruise Night on Saturday, July 24th and the Fizz Ehrler Memorial Car Show on Sunday, July 25th. Saturday’s event will feature hundreds of hot cars, live music and cold beer. Sunday’s event will feature close to 1,000 antiques, classics, street rods, rat rods and more. Enjoy a day strolling through downtown Sycamore and enjoying various food and oldies music.
AUGUST
DRUM CORPS SHOW - NIU- DEKALB August 6 - 7 p.m. Drum & Bugle Corps contest at Huskie Stadium This event, now in its 35th year, features six Drum Corps. For ticket information contact regiment.org. For local information contact FunME Events at 815-756-1263
CRUISIN’ TO GENOA CAR SHOW August 21 GenoaAreaChamber.com While there will be no Genoa Days festival this year, the “Cruisin’ to Genoa” car show will be held, along with the Roger Watson Memorial Tractor Show. More than 30 trophies will be awarded to car show participants this year.
CORN FEST - DOWNTOWN DEKALB August 27-29 cornfest.com DeKalb’s Corn Fest is one of the last remaining free admission festivals in the state. Held in downtown DeKalb, the annual festival features live music, food, games, carnival, corn boil and much more. RIBS, RHYTHM & BREWS FEST - DOWNTOWN SYCAMORE August 28 DiscoverSycamore.com This annual event features award-winning rib vendors, craft beer, and live music from The Party Doctors who will open for Back Country Roads. This year promises “more ribs, beer and music,” and one food vendor will be crowned the RR&B Fest Champion.
SYCAMORE STEAM SHOW & THRESHING BEE August 12-15 SycamoreSteamShow.com The Northern Illinois Steam Power Club will hold its annual steam show and threshing bee on the Taylor Marshall Farm property in Sycamore. The sprawling event features a large flea market, antique displays and demonstrations, fresh produce, and exhibits for adults and children of all ages to enjoy.
DEKALB COUNTY BARN TOUR August 14, Sandwich Township DeKalbCountyBarnTour.com Embark on this year’s barn tour with your own map and see 8 historic and architecturally unique buildings in the Sandwich township area. This year’s tour includes multiple barns and the historic Somonauk United Presbyterian Church. Tour is self-guided and admission is $25 per carload.
SEPTEMBER
MAPLE PARK FUN FEST September 4-5 MapleParkFunFest.com This festival bills itself as a “classic small town festival geared for big time entertainment.” It began in 1998 as a local softball tournament, but has since blossomed into a two-day event with a parade, fireworks, food vendors, a kid zone, and live entertainment.
SANDWICH FAIR September 8-12 SandwichFair.com This multi-day fair has been held annually in Sandwich since 1888. The event features truck and tractor pulls, a concert, culinary competitions, and an antique car show, along with festival food, rides and games. There’s truly something for everyone at the Sandwich Fair.
ADVERTISING uuu INDEX
DeKalb Public Library ......................................... 11 Egyptian Theatre ................................................ 11 Eric Hill Enterprises............................................. 19 First National Bank ............................................... 2 Hampton Inn by Hilton ......................................... 7 Home2 Suites by Hilton........................................ 7 Larry Gregory Photography ................................. 3 NIU Dept. of Visual Arts ..................................... 24 Pizza Villa ............................................................ 15 Sycamore Chamber of Commerce ....................... 5 T-Mobile ............................................................. 23 Yaegar’s Farm Market ......................................... 15
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