If there’s one summer festival to take part in, Lakeside Festival might be it, and it’s coming to Crystal Lake this week for its 39th year.
The festival, which starts on Independence Day and runs through July 7, is the largest fundraiser for the Lakeside Legacy Foundation.
Siobhan Cottone, executive director of the Lakeside Legacy Foundation, said the event is special for guests to attend.
“I think what makes this [festival] special is the grounds that this festival takes place on. Where can you go and sit under a 300-year-old oak tree? Or look across the street and see the Crystal Lake beach and playground and kids playing?” Cottone said. “You know, it’s pretty special.”
The festival sees roughly 50,000 people attend over the four days. There will be a carnival provided by Windy City Carnival, local food, music and the festival also is a place for high school and family reunions, according to Cottone.
Cottone said the Lakeside Festival Committee worked hard to put this event together.
“The Lakeside Fest committee has worked really hard every year. The committee is amazing and they work very hard on providing a very fun and family friendly festival,” Cottone said. “We do have a day designated for kids, but our chairmen have worked very hard on securing amazing talent this year.”
The commitee and staff seek fundraising opportunities for the event, Cottone said.
“Without our sponsors and our volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to put on this festival. But a lot of our fundraising efforts come through sponsorship and then, of course, our main entrance ticket or wristband price is giving back,” she said.
Each day, the price of admission is $5. Then guests are able to enjoy entertainment for free and buy food and drinks from vendors. That entrance price goes toward the donation total for the fundraiser, which gives back to the Dole Mansion and Lakeside Arts Park.
Something new being incorporated into the festival this year is buying a four-day admission wristband. This wristband gets guests into Taste of the Lake, where the food vendors, beer garden and music is located. The purpose of the wristband is to skip the line getting into the festival.
The wristband, however, does not get guests on the carnival rides or into the park district main beach for the fireworks show, according to the Lakeside Arts Park festival.
“I encourage people to come out,” Cottone said. “It’s going to be a great Fourth of July.”
Early bird discount wristband prices
• Wristband for adults ages 21 and older – $18 (If you have a child who is age 12 and younger, they will still need to be checked in.)
• Wristband for ages 13 to 20 – $18
General four-day wristband prices after July 4
• Wristband for adult 21 and older – $20 (If you have a child who is age 12 and younger, they will still need to be checked in.)
• Wristband for ages 13 to 20 – $20
Wristband pickup will be from 3 to 8 p.m. July 3 at Crystal Lake Brewing, 150 N. Main St., Crystal Lake.
“I encourage people to come out,” Cottone said. “It’s going to be a great Fourth of July.”
To buy tickets, visit https://lakesideartspark.org/eventsprograms/lakeside-festival-4-day-wristband.
For a complete list of events scheduled, visit https://lakesideartspark.org/events-calendar/lakeside-festival/schedule.
HOURS
July 4: Noon to 11 p.m.
July 5: 4 to 11 p.m.
July 6: Noon to 11 p.m.
July 7: Noon to 10 p.m.
COST
$5 gate charge
Free admission for kids 12 and younger
$2 for seniors age 65 and older
Free for active military with valid ID
July 4
Taste By the Lake
Beer garden - Sponsored by Chas. Herdrich & Son
Windy City Amusements
Noon – Kids Decorated Bike Parade, sponsored by C.L. Women of Today & Med Express
Noon to 4 p.m. – Unlimited carnival rides ($1 off with coupon)
12:30 p.m. – Jennifer Kapp - Story Lady – NWH stage
2 to 6 p.m. – Joe Diamond – magician
2:30 p.m. – Nashville Electric - NWH stage
3 to 5 p.m. – Dole Mansion tours
5 p.m. – Suburban Cowboys – Pabst stage
7:15 p.m. – Johnny Russler & the Beach Bums – NWH stage
9 p.m. – Semple – Pabst stage
July 5
Taste By the Lake
Beer garden – Sponsored by Chas. Herdrich & Son
Windy City Amusements
4 to 8 p.m. – Unlimited carnival rides (*$1 off with coupon)
5 p.m. – Pirates Over 40 - NWH stage
8:30 p.m. – Bella Cain– Pabst stage
July 6
Kid’s day
Taste By the Lake
Beer garden – Sponsored by Chas. Herdrich & Son
Windy City Amusements
Noon to 4 p.m. – 13 and older, $2 admission
Beer garden - Sponsored by Chas. Herdrich & Son
Face painting/balloon twister/stilt walker, team mascots and more
Noon to 4 p.m. – Unlimited carnival rides ($1 off with coupon)
1 p.m. – McHenry County Youth Orchestra – NWH stage
2 to 6 p.m. – Joe Diamond - magician
2:30 p.m. – The Ron Burgundys – NWH stage
3 to 5 p.m. – Dole Mansion tours
4:30 p.m. – Lava Rock - Pabst stage
6:30 p.m. – Jody’s House – NWH stage
7:30 p.m. – Hi Infidelity - Pabst stage
July 7
Taste By the Lake
Beer garden – Sponsored by Chas. Herdrich & Son
Windy City Amusements
Noon – Pamela Rose & Windy City Country - NWH stage
1 to 5 p.m. – Unlimited carnival rides ($1 off with coupon)
1 p.m. – Parade down Dole Avenue to Lakeside Festival
1:30 p.m. – Baggo tournament
3:30 p.m. – The Goo Roos – Pabst stage
5:30 p.m. – The Stan Dard Jazz Project - NWH stage
6:30 p.m. – Modern Day Romeos – Pabst stage
Dusk – Fireworks on the lake
