In the way that a great apple can have a bruise, the organization that brings apples to Long Grove by the bushel hopes to fill in the “dead zone” at the event’s center.
The Long Grove Apple Fest — Sept. 25-27 in the village’s downtown area — will mark the return of one of the years-long tradition’s more popular entertainers, set in the spot that organizers said has been a weak point of this year’s earlier festivals.
Singer Jack Eiler will bring the classic pop and swing tunes to the Fountain Square —a spot that Sharon Fine, executive director of the Long Grove Business and Community Partners, said had little role during the Chocolate and Strawberry fests.
“We’re tweaking, and making sure Fountain Square is not a dead zone,” Fine said. “Hopefully, we’ve found a great spot for him to be.”
Officials say that 2015 has been a resurgent year for Long Grove: several storefronts that were vacant in January have businesses, and the Partners’ Chocolate and Strawberry fests drew larger numbers and younger visitors, in part because of the addition of live music in the evenings.
For the Apple Fest, the main stage — in front of the covered bridge on Robert Parker Coffin Road — will feature Trippin’ Billies, a Dave Matthews Band tribute act, on Friday night, and a DuPage County rock act, Lucky Boys Confusion, on Saturday night.
But both Saturday and Sunday afternoons will feature long sets from Eiler, who Fine said became known for his performances of Sinatra classics at past festivals. He could not take part in this year’s first two events, though, and Fine said she was eager to place him in the Fountain Square for the Apple Fest.
More Top Picks How To Choose A Tutor For A Child With Dyslexia
“He’s become our beloved DJ,” she said.
Long Grove will be bustling with more than one activity during the weekend: the Village Tavern, on the edge of downtown at 135 Old McHenry Road, will have its own Oktoberfest at the same time.
Fine added that Robert Parker Coffin Road will remain closed during the weekend from the Archer parking lot to the covered bridge —another of this summer’s changes, which she said had worked well for control of both vehicular and foot traffic.
@RonnieAtPioneer