Lakeside Legacy tradition satisfies festival-goers

By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

Kelly Gaede (left), 10, and her best friend Jenna Ross, 10, both of Crystal Lake scream Friday as they take a turn on the Dragon Wagon at Lakeside Fest in Crystal Lake. (Lauren M. Anderson – landerson@nwherald.com)

CRYSTAL LAKE – Don Zdunek grew up near Lakeside Legacy Park in Crystal Lake. He remembers when summers were marked by two back-to-back festivals at Dole Mansion.

“My parents and neighbors would all come up here and listen to the bands,” said Zdunek, 27.

As he devoured a plate of stuffed cabbage Friday at the Lakeside Festival, he noted the difference between the festivals of his childhood and this year’s.

“It’s not open for two weeks; it’s only one week,” he said.

The last time both the Crystal Lake Gala and Lakeside Festival were hosted at the same park was 2007. After neighbors complained of the inconvenienced caused by holding two events back-to-back, the 2008 Gala Festival was moved to Lippold Park.

But the new location was plagued by traffic problems and a lack of on-site parking. The festival went more than $50,000 over budget last year and afterward officially was canceled.

Lakeside Festival traditionally was put on the last weekend of June, and the Gala Festival was held during Fourth of July weekend.

This year, Lakeside Festival was moved to Independence Day weekend and will coincide with the city fireworks and parade.

Gary Reece, president of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, said that move might soften the blow of having one less festival.

“Everybody knows what happened with the Gala, and it’s very unfortunate, but Lakeside kind of filled that void,” Reece said. “I don’t think many of the residents will know that there’s a difference.”

Reece seemed to be right.

Many Lakeside-goers were too busy enjoying food, music and carnival rides Friday to lament the failed fest.

“It’s wonderful. This is very well-done,” said Kathy Dunn, who came from Huntley with her husband, Jim.

While Mike Grossman’s 7-year-old grandson rode the Cliff Hanger, he said he wouldn’t miss the Gala Festival.

“There’s so many festivals in the area. Next week is Ribfest,” said Grossman, who lives in Crystal Lake.

New to Lakeside Festival was a Baggo bean bag toss tournament Friday. About 96 teams were expected to compete for cash prizes.

“It’s basically a bean-bag throwing game where there’s two boards set about 20 feet apart,” Russell said.

Teams must aim to toss the bean bags into holes, but it’s sometimes tough because the surface of the boards is slippery.

The festival also will coincide with the annual parade and fireworks, which are being paid for by the city of Crystal Lake. This year’s Lakeside Festival also adopted the children’s decorated bike parade, which will be today.

The decorated bike parade will kick off at 11:30 a.m. at Leonard Parkway, near Main Beach. All children are invited to participate, said Ron Russell, Lakeside Festival chairman.

“They will have a police escort just like a regular parade,” Russell said.

The traditional Independence Day parade will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, and it starts at the Municipal Building at 100 W. Woodstock St. It will follow the former parade route, down Dole Avenue to the Lakeside Festival grounds.

“Everybody can watch the parade, and then when it’s over, come on down to Lakeside and have fun at Lakeside Festival,” Reece said.

Fest schedule

Lakeside Festival is today and Sunday at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park, 400 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake.

Admission: $4 adults, $2 seniors, free for children 12 and younger and active military with ID.

Info: Annual festival features live music, art shows, Dole Mansion tours, Taste by the Lake, carnival, fireworks and more. Call 815-455-8000 or visit www.lakesidelegacy.org.

Today

Independence Day: Wear red, white and blue.

Festival hours: Noon to 11 p.m.

• 11:30 a.m.: Kids’ Decorated Bike Parade

• Noon to 4 p.m.: Unlimited carnival rides $1 off with coupon

• 1 p.m.: Jim Gill – Pabst Stage

• 2 p.m.: Probable Cause – Northwest Herald Stage

• 5 p.m.: Thomas Nicholas Band – Pabst Stage

• 7 p.m.: Bottle of Justus – Pabst Stage

• 8:30 p.m.: Thomas Nicholas Band – Northwest Herald Stage

• 9 p.m.: Eve 6 – Pabst Stage

Sunday

Parade and Fireworks Day: Wear red, white and blue

Festival hours: Noon to 11 p.m.

• 2-6 p.m.: Unlimited carnival rides $1 off with coupon

• 1 p.m.: Parade down Dole Avenue to Lakeside Festival

• 1 p.m.: Gregory B – Northwest Herald Stage

• 2:30 p.m.: Booze Brothers – Pabst Stage

• 6 p.m.: Gregory B

• 7:15 p.m.: The Crystal Lake Community Band will be performing at 7:15 p.m. at the Crystal Lake Main Beach

• 8 p.m.: Smoking Popes – Pabst Stage

• Dusk: Fireworks over the lake