Fourth Annual Fall Fest Opens on September 14

Fall Fest 2012, a three-day, family-friendly festival, presented this year by AT&T U-verse, is back for a fourth year, bigger and better than ever. The fest, produced by the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, the Des Plaines History Center, and the Des Plaines Park District takes place at , 2200 Lee Street, on Friday, September 14, from 6:00-11:00pm, Saturday, September 15, from noon to 11:00pm, and Sunday, September 16, from noon to 8:00pm. Free admission, free parking, and free concerts are just the beginning of this annual community event that features a full carnival with rides, games and a kid’s midway; delicious food and beverages, including beer and a European-style Wine Garden; a KidZone! with crafts, pony rides, entertainment, and activities for children; adult bags tournaments; 50/50 raffles; a custom car show; an Art Fair; a fishing derby; a Country Fair Tent; and some of the best bands around. “AT&T U-verse is proud to be a part of this fantastic Des Plaines event. It’s a great place for families to come and enjoy the weekend,” said a spokesperson for AT&T.

The festival weekend officially opens at 6:00pm on Friday. Hi-Fi Superstar kicks off the free entertainment lineup at 6:30pm, followed by ARRA at 9:00pm. “ARRA plays the best classic rock from Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, to Boston, Foreigner, and more,” said Linda Traina, Superintendent of Recreation for the Des Plaines Park District.

Kids and families are the focus of Fall Fest each year. Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm, there are unlimited carnival rides for $20 per person, so everyone can enjoy the 17 different attractions, including a Tilt-A-Whirl, Bumper Cars, a Carousel, and the 55-foot Ferris wheel. The KidZone! is open Saturday and Sunday until 6:00pm and features pony rides, crafts, face painting, entertainment, and Minute-to-Win-It skills challenges just for kids. For car aficionados, Black Dog Promotions will host a custom car show open to classic, antique, American muscle, and hot rods, on Sunday, from noon-4:00pm. On Saturday and Sunday, the Des Plaines History Center Country Fair Tent will have costumed interpreters, a display about historic Des Plaines, and hand-made crafts available for purchase. New this year is an Art Fair displaying original works in oil and watercolor, photography, jewelry, and sculpture for sale.

“The free entertainment is a big draw to Fall Fest,” said Barbara Ryan, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, “but what festival would be complete without great food?” Patrons can feast on specialties prepared by Charcoal Delights, Giuseppe’s La Cantina, Evan’s Place Restaurant, Tidbits, John’s Rib House, Chang Jiang Buffet, Ye Olde Town Inn, Panchos Mexican Food, and much more.

“Everyone is invited to Fall Fest to play, party, eat, and enjoy the entertainment,” said Ryan. “We thank Public Works, the Police and Fire Departments, the City of Des Plaines, and the Emergency Management Agency for making this a safe event. We could not put on a festival this grand, however, without our presenting sponsor AT&T U-verse; our Main Stage Sponsor, Renewal by Andersen; and the generous support of Arc Disposal/Republic Services; At Wholesale Improvements (Bags Tournaments); Best Sanitation Services; Cordogan Clark & Associates, (Kidzone! contests); Fantasy Amusement; Fifth Third Bank; Gold Medal Products; Hertz (Forces for Rent); Holy Family Medical Center, (Car Show); Indestructo Rentals; Millennium Bank, (Country Fair Tent); NorthShore University Health System, (Kidzone! Interactive Playground); Rivers Casino, (Car Show); and Town & Country Distributors.

For more information visit FallFestDesPlaines.com.

Here is a more detailed look at the schedule of events:

Fall Fest 2012 Schedule

September 14-16 at Lake Park, 2200 Lee St. in Des Plaines

Free Admission! Free Concerts! Free Parking!

Friday, September 14, 2012

6:00-11:00pm

Free Entertainment on the Main Stage

6:30pm: Hi-Fi Superstar. Crunchy, modern pop-rock.

9:00pm: ARRA. The best classic rock from Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Boston, Foreigner, and more.

Food and Beverages, Beer and Wine

Carnival Rides, Booths, Games

Adult Bags Tournament

50/50 Raffle: $5 per ticket or 3 for $10. One winner each night.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Noon-11:00pm

Free Entertainment on the Main Stage

Noon: Sol Azteca Dancers

2:00pm: Inbound Kennedy. Original rock, blues, and jazz tunes and the best of The Grateful Dead, The Talking Heads, The Clash, and more.

4:00pm: Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band. Playing the sweet sound of Caribbean Rock, Reggae and Calypso.

6:30pm: Bad Medicine. Chicago’s favorite Bon Jovi cover band.

9:00pm: Wedding Banned. The hottest party band playing hits from the 80’s, 90’s, and beyond.

Food and Beverages, Beer and Wine

Carnival Rides, Booths, Games (Noon to 4:00pm unlimited rides for $20)

Adult Bags Tournament

50/50 Raffle: $5 per ticket or 3 for $10. One winner each night.

Art Fair (Until 5:00pm)

104.3 K-Hits Radio Station (3:00-5:00pm)

Friends of the Parks Free Fishing Derby (Noon-3:00pm)

KidZone! (Until 6:00pm)

         Pony rides

         Crafts for kids

         Free family photos

         Interactive Playground

         Face painting

         Des Plaines Health and Human Services

         Noon - Ronald McDonald Fun and Fitness

         1:30pm: Story time with the Des Plaines Public Library

         2:30pm: Robin’s Dog Stars

         3:30pm: Minute to Win It - Fun Skills Challenges

         4:30pm: Mr. Kipley’s Music & Magic

History Center Country Fair Tent - Historic Des Plaines Exhibits

Noon-5:00pm: Hand made crafts for sale

Noon-5:00pm: Owl Dancer Mark Pfieffer: Interpreting the North American fur trade in the 17th & 18th centuries

Noon-5:00pm: Revolutionary War Re-enactors: Interpreting people and

trades from the days of the American Revolution

1:00-5:00pm: “Ask a Master Gardener”

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Noon-8:00pm

Free Entertainment on the Main Stage

Noon: Artistry in Motion Dancers

1:30pm: Who Knew. Playing everything from the 50’s to today.

3:45pm: 7th heaven. The Billboard chart-topping band that opened for Bon Jovi in 2010!

6:15pm: Red Wanting Blue. Playing original rock ‘n roll from their newest release, Vanishing Point, which debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.

Food and Beverages, Beer and Wine

Carnival Rides, Booths, Games (Noon to 4:00pm unlimited rides for $20)

Adult Bags Tournament

50/50 Raffle: $5 per ticket or 3 for $10. One winner each night.

Art Fair (Until 5:00pm)

Car Show (Until 4:00pm)

KidZone! (Until 6:00pm)

         Pony rides

         Crafts for kids

         Free family photos

         Interactive Playground

         Face painting

         1:00pm: Animal Quest Show

         2:00pm: Master Sang Chel Chung’s Academy Martial Arts Demo

         3:00pm: Minute to Win It - Fun Skills Challenges

         4:30pm: Mary Macaroni

History Center Country Fair Tent - Historic Des Plaines Exhibits

Noon-5:00pm: Hand made crafts for sale

Noon-5:00pm: Owl Dancer Mark Pfieffer: Interpreting the North American fur trade in the 17th & 18th centuries

Noon-5:00pm: Revolutionary War Re-enactors: Interpreting people and

trades from the days of the American Revolution

1:00pm: Tim Vana: November Concert Preview

1:00-5:00pm: “Ask a Master Gardener”

2:30pm: Pie Eating Contest