Verily, it’s time to hit the summer festival schedule like a cannonball from soaring high. Ker Splash. So get ready for plenty of fun, whether it’s at RB&W Riverfront Park in Rock Falls, in an air-conditioned theater to see the work of up-and-coming filmmakers, or at the community activities around Lanark’s City Park.
1 Celebration by the water. The smell of ostrich hot dogs and Montana-seasoned buffalo burgers being heated over an open flame fills the air from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday during Summer Splash at RB&W Riverfront Park at Rock Falls. In addition to the Wild Game Cookout, Friday will feature vendors, a petting zoo, the YMCA Family 5K and the stuffed animal pageant. The dog competition and the craft and vendor show are held on Saturday. Live bands and performances include Sye Dodson, Barn Ratz, Legacy Martial Arts, Trevor Sensor and GED on Friday, and River Country Stomp Line Dance and Les Funderberg and his Country Crew on Saturday.
2 Moving picture show. The second Northwest Illinois Film Festival will be held Friday and Saturday at Morrison Tech, 701 Portland Ave. held in Morrison. The event is free, but registration via www.eventbrite.com is required. Animated shorts introduce Chucky Chicken, the creation of Oswego filmmaker Michael Cook. Several feature films will be screened: the docudrama Sons & Daughters of Thunder, the romantic drama Without Grace and the thriller The Blacklight. Other short films are on the program. Activities start at 7pm on Friday and 3pm on Saturday.
3 Blast from the past. Lanark’s Old Settlers Days are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The main attraction is the two-day Civil War re-enactment at Port’s Pasture, which takes place at 3pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday. The Eastland Cheer Squad offers face painting and children’s crafts. There are many other family activities. Other Highlights: Raging Road Rally 5K, Car Show, The Parade, Kiddie Pedal Tractor Pull and Hula Hoop Contest. Live performances: Just 4 Fun Friday at 8pm, Route 38 Saturday at 8pm, DJ Shadow at midnight and Simply Free Church Sunday at 11:45am.
4 Sounds of America. The Sterling Municipal Band, whose roots date back to 1928, will perform a special concert with the Josh Duffee Orchestra Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Central Memorial Park’s Grandon Civic Center. Looking ahead to Wednesday night, the Music Under the Stars concert will be a red, white and blue “4th of July Celebration.” Wednesday’s opening act, Strings-Along, begins at 6:15.
5 First bloom. Dixon’s Petunia Festival isn’t in full swing yet, but there are a few early attractions on Wednesday before the Independence Day celebrations begin. First, tours of the Reagan Boyhood Home will be available beginning at 10 a.m. Second, the royal court – including the latest Pinky Petunia – will make its debut during Crafts with Royalty at the Dixon Public Library at 1pm. This year’s court includes Queen Kendall Fassler and companions Leah Kuehl and Esther Whitcombe. Pinky is portrayed by Katelyn Fassler.
Do you have information about an upcoming event or attraction? Be sure to let us know. Please send information for Sauk Valley Media’s weekly calendars to [email protected]. Enter a contact person and a telephone number.