MHN_Family Fest 2024

FREE Family Fun for EVERYONE!

Presented by the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce and Channahon Minooka Chamber

Saturday, April 13

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Minooka Junior High, 333 McEvilly Rd., Minooka FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL!

Free Family Entertainment including balloon art, face painting, bounce houses, reptile show, and dance & martial arts demonstrations.

GIVEAWAYS - RAFFLES - RECREATION OPTIONS - GAMES - BUSINESS SERVICES EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE!

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Family Fest 2024 A Business and Community Showcase – April 13

MINOOKA – Spring is here, and the Grundy Chamber and Channahon Minooka Chamber’s annual Family Fest is a great way to kick-off the season with free fun for all.

This free, family-friendly event will be Saturday, April 13 at Minooka Junior High School, 333 W. McEvilly Road, Minooka. Family Fest will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We welcome back the reptile show, balloon art, and the local business expo filled with products and giveaways, as well as face painting and the jump house.

Family Fest is a family-centered business expo showcasing the programs, products and services available throughout greater Grundy County, all while providing entertainment for families. The event is presented by Comcast and title sponsors Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt and CPV Three Rivers Energy Center. Heartland Bank, D’Arcy Chevrolet and Constellation- Dresden Generating Station are this year’s event sponsors. Thanks to all of these sponsors for ensuring this event is free for families.

It is the only event of its kind available to local residents. Consumers

can find information on health and beauty, financial and community services, home improvement, childcare, insurance, education and more.

“Every year Family Fest is a great opportunity for families to get to know the businesses and services available right here in our community,” said Lorrie Toler of Elevate Real Estate Team – Keller Williams Infinity. “From kids to adults, everyone has a great time.”

The vendor expo opens at 9 a.m. and will offer entertainment, raffles, demonstrations, kids’ activities and more. Families are encouraged to attend together, as there is something for all ages.

This year a performance will be held by new Chamber member –Thrive Dance Project at 9:45 a.m. and then Chamber Member Lee Family Martial Arts held at 12:15 p.m. in the performance area sponsored by Simple Communications and SOCU.

One of the most exciting aspects of Family Fest is the Kids Zone, sponsored by Financial Plus Credit Union, ONEOK, Grundy Bank, LyondellBasell, Procter & Gamble, The Country Farmhouse, Sherwood Oaks, Village of Minooka, Grundy County Broadcasters WCSJ/WJDK and Joliet Junior College. Kids Zone is an activities area that provides ongoing child-centered activities like Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of

Reptiles – sponsored by Old National Bank. The jump houses are also located in the Kids Zone.

Stop by the Kids Zone anytime from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for coloring, activities, and visits with mascots. Mascots will be available all day. The reptile show presentation will be at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Kids also will be able to see Strawberri the balloon artist from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and get free balloons. Strawberri will be located in the expo area.

Lynda with Anything-Art (painting faces and spaces) will be providing face painting from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If a line is present, Lynda will stop taking kids at noon in order to complete all in line by 12:30 p.m. This fun activity is being sponsored by American Commercial Bank & Trust and is free, but also is first come first serve.

“There are few places where you can meet a new dentist, find a new lipstick and pet a lizard all in one place – but Family Fest is one of them,” Chamber President & CEO Christina Van Yperen said. “Our annual Family Fest event is fun, informational and free to attend. We can’t wait to see everyone April 13.”

For more information, please contact the Chamber at (815) 942-0113 or email lena@grundychamber.com

HaveaGreat

Fa mily Fe st

Constellation and Dresden Station are proud to support and participate in the Grundy County and Channahon-Minooka Chambers of Commerce

2024 Family Fest.

Grundy County is a great place to live and work, and we hope you will take advantage of this event to learn more about the companies and organizations that provide a wealth of family-friendly resources, products and services throughout the area.

Sponsors & Consumer Expo Vendor list:

Activities and information from area vendors will be available

American Commercial Bank & Trust

American Gutter Protection

Associated Orthodontist

Bath Planet

CASA of River Valley

Channahon Lanes & Mini Golf

Comcast

Grundy Kendall Farm Bureau – donated by Designer Decks

Edward Jones – Chris Scholtes

Elevate Real Estate

ERG Elite Remodeling Group

Express Med Spa

Financial Plus Credit Union

Greater Joliet YMCA

Grundy Bank

WCSJ/K-Country

Grundy County Health Department

Grundy County Hereo’s & Helpers –donated by D’Arcy Chevrolet

Grundy County PADS – donated by Constellation

Grundy Transit System

Heartland Bank

Hearts With Compassion –donated by CPV Three Rivers Energy Center

Joliet Slammers

Joliet Junior College

Joyful Crystals

Mary Kay Cosmetics – Judi Tapella

Mike Lucas State Farm

Minooka Fire Protection District

Mission Bible Church

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

Pregnancy Resource Center – donated by ONEOK

Procter & Gamble

Prime Bath

Sherwood Oaks & The Country Farmhouse

SOCU

Three Rivers Public Library

United Way of Grundy County – donated by LyondellBasell

Village of Channahon

Village of Minooka

We Care of Grundy County –donated by Simple Communications

*This list reflects participants as of deadline

Solutions for a better tomorrow

Schedule of Events

Fest is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

l 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids Zone and Consumer Expo open all day

l 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Balloon art by Strawberri in Expo Area

l 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jump houses and activities in Kids Zone

l 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lynda with Anything-Art (painting faces and spaces) in Expo Area

- sponsored by American Commercial Bank & Trust

l 9:45 a.m. to 10:05 a.m. Thrive Dance Project will perform in the Kids Zone Performance Area

l 10:10-10:55 a.m. Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles in Kids Zone sponsored by Old National Bank

l 11-11:35 a.m. Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles in Kids Zone sponsored by Old National Bank

l 12:15 p.m. Lee’s Family Martial Arts will perform in the Kids Zone Performance Area

*Mascots will be walking through expo throughout the day. Thank you to our local communities!

Free balloon art by Strawberri

MMINOOKA- Michelle Nilles, also known as Strawberri, has been entertaining kids as well as adults since 1999 through her business Berri Good Clowns & More.

Strawberri’s fun yet gentle ways and genuine love for children puts even the shyest child at ease. She can amaze your guests with her balloon creations, face painting and interactive comedy magic shows.

During Family Fest she will be offering free balloon creations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the expo area. Depending on the line for Strawberri, the balloon art line may be cut off at 12:30 p.m. to make sure all waiting get a balloon.

“At Family Fest we love that the kids get to take something home with them to enjoy from their day with us. A balloon creation is a unique gift children can play with and create memories with,” Grundy Chamber President & CEO Christina Van Yperen said.

Strawberri has performed for Harpo Studios, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls pre-game shows, and at Wrigley Field. She also performs for corporate events, restaurants, birthday parties, schools, pre-schools, churches and Grand Openings.

Free face painting back at Family Fest

MINOOKA –It’s not unusual to see mini superheroes, princesses and even wild animals running around the Grundy County Chamber’s annual Family Fest –but don’t worry it’s just kids with painted faces!

Thanks to a sponsorship by American Commercial Bank & Trust, Lynda with Anything-Art (painting faces and spaces) will be painting children’s faces for free from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Family Fest Saturday, April 13 at Minooka Jr High School, 333 W Mcevilly Rd, Minooka. If a line is at the booth at 12, the booth will close off the line to finish all kids by 12:30 p.m.

The face painting booth will be inside the business expo portion of Family Fest so parents and guardians can stop at the 50 plus other vendor booths while their children have their face painted into a tiger, Spiderman, fairy princess and more.

“Face Painting is always a huge hit at events and we expertly transform little guests into princesses, super heroes, butterflies and villains, and there will be zombies and vampires running around too,” Lynda Mahalik, owner of Anything-Art said in a news release.

Traveling World of Reptiles to hold two shows at Family Fest April 13

MINOOKA - If you have never seen the Traveling World of Reptiles it can best be described as an up-close, live, and extremely interactive or “hands-on” experience about reptiles and amphibians from around the world.

Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles has become a tradition at the Grundy Chamber’s annual Family Fest and is back again this year thanks to sponsor Old National Bank. This year’s showings will be at 10:10 a.m. and again at 11 a.m. during Family Fest on Saturday, April 13 at Minooka Jr High School. The shows, as well as Family Fest overall, are free to attend.

“Every year we have families who return to Family Fest thanks to the hands-on, fun, and friendly experience Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles provides. Children and adults have the opportunity to get up close to animals they do not get to encounter often,” Christina Van Yperen, Chamber President & CEO said.

“The Traveling World of Reptiles blends education and a unique style of humor to form an original experience that makes the presentation every bit as entertaining as it is educational,” DiNaso said in a news release.

If you would like the opportunity to see, touch, and learn about reptiles from all over the world and laugh a lot while doing so, attend the Traveling World of Reptiles show at Family Fest.

Lee Family Martial Arts

Demonstration Team to perform

MINOOKA – The Demonstration

Team of Lee Family Martial Arts in Morris will be showing off their skills during Family Fest on Saturday, April 13.

The Martial Arts school, located at 1204 N. Division St. in Morris, specializes in teaching Taekwondo to children as young as 3 years old and their oldest student is 64 years old. Taekwondo is great for all ages as it teaches respect, self-discipline, and makes for a strong healthy mind, body, and spirit, Grand Master Chang Min Lee said in a news release.

Lee is a 7 th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and 8th Degree Black Belt in Hapkido. He is from South Korea and established the school in Morris in 2012. Master Yoo Chan Lee, a 4th Degree Black Belt, also teaches at the school.

Lee will lead the demonstration team during its Family Fest performance from 12:15 p.m. The team will perform a mix of Taekwondo forms, weapons, Taekwondo dance, gymnastics and board breaking.

“Watching the demonstration team in action is always exciting, and astounding. Not only is their hard work on display, but the joy they feel while performing is evident on their faces. The community always enjoys their performances, and we hope everyone will come watch,” Chamber President & CEO Christina Van Yperen said.

Thrive Dance Project

MINOOKA - Thrive Dance Project of Channahon will be bringing dancers to perform at Family Fest on Saturday, April 13.

Thrive Dance Project located at 25445 Pheasant Lane, Suite C-E in Channahon is a specialty dance school whose mission is to provide an atmosphere where every child can grow to their fullest potential. Their instructors and staff have a combined 50 years of experience in several varieties of dances and competition.

Melissa Warning is from New Lenox where she began her dance training. Warning has coached the Minooka Varsity Dance Team to 8 sectional championships, 6 conference championships, top ten in the state for 9 years in a row as well as bringing home two 3rd place podium trophies.

Thrive Dance Project will perform at Family Fest on April 13th at 9:45 a.m. only a little over a month before their annual recital.

“We are excited to be bringing Thrive Dance Project in to perform for Family Fest this year. We have not had the opportunity to see their dancers before, which will bring a new excitement to the performance. We hope everyone will be able to come watch,” Chamber President & CEO Christina Van Yperen said.