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player ready...Four days of good weather plus an expanded array of activities and entertainment made the 2015 Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days festival even more successful than last year’s event, according to organizers.
“The festival was bigger this year with high-end entertainment, a larger carnival with six more rides than last year, a larger fireworks show by The Mad Bomber, and a parade with over 90 entries,” festival president Carl Palmisano said. “We boiled 4,000 ears of sweet corn in the Petersen family’s 1914 Minneapolis steam engine.”
The sweet corn was given to festgoers for free on the fourth and final day of the fest.
Nine bands performed on the main stage from Thursday to Sunday: Porch Flies, Gary Nelson Band, Liberty’s Teeth, Brian Lavender Band, 4th Point, The Nine Spot, ARRA, Modern Day Romeos and Whiskey Romance.
“The new entertainment brought in larger crowds,” Palmisano said.
In addition to climbing aboard the carnival rides run by North American Midway Entertainment, attendees could shop at 19 craft show booths, watch Mr. D’s Magic House on Wheels show, visit farm animals in the petting zoo, play bean bag toss at the Zion United Methodist Church booth, enjoy free pony rides, and buy food and drink from various vendors.
Randy’s Beer Garden sold alcoholic beverages inside an enclosed, adults-only area where people could sit and listen to the bands.
One food vendor, the Knights of Columbus Hampshire Council 13034, sold grilled pork sandwiches.
“This is a great event,” said Grand Knight Paul Vicicondi, of Hampshire. “We’ve had great weather. We’re glad to be here. Everything we sell at the fest goes to charity.”
The majority of events were held at Bruce Ream Memorial Park, 368 Terwilliger Ave., Hampshire. Activities that took place outside the park included the Hampshire Lions Club annual pancake breakfast, the Hampshire Park District annual Coon Creek Classic 2K/10K Walk/Run, the Letheby family’s model train exhibit, and Sunday’s parade.
Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days is a nonprofit operated by the HCCCD committee. Proceeds from fundraising efforts are given to local charities.
There were two raffles held by the committee for the first time this year. The first involved 16 gift baskets filled with donated items. The second included Walt Disney World and Sea World passes along with two-night stays in Las Vegas and Reno, Nev. There was more than $1,500 worth of prizes, organizers said.
Hampshire VFW Post 8043 sold raffle tickets for $700 in prizes. According to Post 8043 members, the proceeds support scholarships, Buddy Poppy, school programs, National Home, hospitalized veterans, Voice of Democracy and community service. The raffle drawing is slated for Sept. 13 at the Burlington Fall Fest in Burlington Township Park.
Fred Rackow was presented with the 2015 Engel Award for Excellence on Saturday.
“The award is given to Hampshire residents who have shown dedication to their community,” Bonnie Engel said. “I started the award in 2000 in memory of my parents, Earl and Hazel Engel, who were once residents of Hampshire.”
Bonnie Engel said Rackow once worked as a guidance counselor at both Hampshire Middle School and Hampshire High School. He served as a baseball coach and a high school head varsity coach. He worked with others to start a preschool program that developed into Little People Playtime Preschool in Hampshire. He recently was elected to a third term as president of the Hampshire Lions Club.
“Fred was one of the driving forces working toward completion of Bruce Ream Memorial Park,” Bonnie Engel said. “He was successful in seeking and receiving a grant from the state of Illinois for installation of lights at the park, which brought back night baseball to Hampshire.”
“I’m humbled by this award,” Rackow said. “To be included in this Engel Award of Excellence group is truly wonderful.”
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for the Courier-News.