Wilmette’s 2016 Summerfest was a big success, despite two extremely hot days, some organizers and participants said – at least until thunderstorms rolled in Saturday night, and put an end to fun that had been planned as a triumphant finale to the festivities.
But even after torrential rain and impressive lightning storms closed down the music stage and beer garden on July 23, and sent sidewalk sale vendors rushing to get their offerings out of the bad weather, they gave Summerfest a thumbs-up.
The two-day event, organized by the Wilmette-Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce with the village’s cooperation, took place July 22 and 23, and attracted one of the largest turnouts of sidewalk sale participants in years, Chamber President Bob Hausheer said.
“We had what we think was one of the best vendor events that we’ve had in years,” said Hausheer, owner of the Morning Glory Flower Shop, 1135 Central Ave. “And by merely walking around and asking how everyone fared, it seemed that everyone was having a good time.”
The Wilmette Fire Department provided some much-needed cooling power at their downtown misting station on Saturday, which proved to be a popular place for children, he said.
“It was busy despite the heat, which tells you how successful it was,” said Mimi Evans, a member of the Summerfest organizing committee and co-owner of the Lad & Lassie shop, 1115 Central Ave.
Friday saw vendors from inside and outside the village set up in downtown Wilmette, at Plaza del Lago on Sheridan Road and along Ridge Road.
“I thought we had some really beautiful, interesting displays, and it was, as I say every year, a very community-oriented event. You shop, you see your neighbors, you have fun,” Evans said.
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On Saturday, Summerfest expanded to include a children’s activity tent, live music onstage beginning in the early afternoon, food vendors, a classic car show, and more. But then the storms arrived.
“We were completely washed out at 6 p.m.,” Hausheer said.
“It was very unfortunate, since we were poised for a really great party, but Mother Nature decreed otherwise,” he added.
Evans was philosophical about the shutdown: “We’ve been doing it for years, and things like this do happen.”
Twitter: @pioneer_kathy