Best of the Fests: County's summer festival season underway

Jaycees Cary Days will take place June 18 through 21 in Lions Park. (Northwest Herald file photo)

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An area that celebrates both milk and Mozart? Yeah, you can definitely call that “unique.”

That’s how Cort Carlson describes the summer of festivals in McHenry County.

“They’ve all managed to keep their charm or their small-town uniqueness to them,” said Carlson, executive director of the McHenry County Conventions and Visitors Bureau.

“They’re unique events in unique settings. It’s not necessarily a carnival in a shopping center parking lot somewhere,” he said. “They all have personality to them.”

That doesn’t mean that the carnivals aren’t coming. And the food. And of course, the music.
With events planned throughout the Chicago area this summer, you’ll definitely have plenty of opportunities to get festive.

The area offers up celebrations as large as the Taste of Chicago to events as down home as a Day at Petersen Farm in McHenry.

And it all begins this weekend with Milk Days in Harvard, an event many describe as the kick-off festival of the season.

In its 68th year, Milk Days is the longest running festival in Illinois.

Started as a way to honor the local dairy industry, it has grown into a massive home-town reunion of sorts attracting at least 20,000 people.

“I remember in school going to the parade and carnival grounds,” said Michele Bannwolf, president of the Milk Days board who grew up in Harvard.

This year’s event will feature a first-ever Banana Derby in which monkeys dressed as jockeys will race on dogs. The event debuts 5 and 7 p.m. Friday, with shows Saturday and Sunday as well.

From the longest-running to one of the largest – Fiesta Days in McHenry.

Scheduled from July 10-25, the event will feature a Music Fest including Modern Day Romeos and Gin Blossoms as well as nostalgia bands, a Drum and Bugle Corp and Family Faith Nite.
Visitors can take part in a paintball tournament or go on hot air balloon rides.

Once known as Marine Days, the festival has expanded way beyond its Fox River roots.

“The entertainment’s always new and it’s always fresh,” said Kay Rialbates, president of the McHenry Chamber of Commerce.

Yes, organizers of all the festivals are always on the lookout for something new. But events, such as the Heritage Fair on July 12 at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum and A Woodstock Tribute in August, are all about the history.

History and, of course, peace, brother. Eight tribute bands will play at Galt Airport in celebration the 40th anniversary of the world famous music and peace festival that took place near Woodstock, New York.
For the McHenry County Fair, scheduled Aug. 5 to 9, history involves agriculture.

“It’s important that some of these younger people know where their food comes from,” said Lois Asher, the fair’s office manager.

In its 60th year, the fair will include new exhibits on “Agriculture of the Past” and “Percheron Draft Horse.” Organizers also are trying to find as many past McHenry County Fair queens as possible for a pageant reunion.