Family Fest 2023 A Business and Community Showcase – April 15

MORRIS – Spring is here and the Grundy 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 15 at Shabbona School in Morris. Family Fest will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the former Shabbona Middle School, 725 School Street in Morris. We welcome back the reptile show, balloon art, and the local business expo filled with products and giveaways. After a few years hiatus, we are excited for the return of face painting and jump houses. A Touch-A-Truck event has also been added this year.

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 CPV Three Rivers Energy Center and TR Miller Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. Simple Communications, 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, child care, insurance, education and more.

“The Health Department has always enjoyed participating in Family Fest,” Public Health Administrator Michelle Pruim said. “It’s essentially an indoor amusement park for kids packed with wonderful local resources. Grundy has a lot to offer local families, and this event brings them all under one roof.”

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 - Chang Lee’s Taekwon Martial Arts Corp. held at 12:15 p.m. in the performance area sponsored by SOCU. The Lee family provides high quality martial arts training for people of all ages.

One of the most exciting aspects of Family Fest is the Kids Zone, sponsored by Financial Plus Credit Union, ONEOK, First Federal Savings Bank, LyondellBasell, Heartland Bank, Joliet Junior College, Procter & Gamble, The Country Farmhouse, Village of Minooka and Luminant Kendall Power. Kids Zone is an activities area that provides ongoing child-centered activities like Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles – sponsored by Coal City Dental. 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 thanks to sponsor Old National Bank. Strawberri will be located in the expo area.

Pro Tack LLC s is keeping our families safe by being the sanitation sponsor featuring hand sanitizer stations at the event.

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.

“Every year this event continues to grow and bring families together to get to know their community better all while having a fun afternoon,” Chamber President & CEO

Christina Van Yperen said. “Family Fest is a favorite among children and adults alike and we can’t wait to see everyone April 15.”

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