La Grange will celebrate summer with a three-day festival that organizers say has a small town feel even though it attracts thousands of attendees.
Endless Summerfest 2016 will take place Friday, Aug. 5 to Sunday, Aug. 7 in Gordon Park, at Ogden and Locust avenues. The festival that celebrates the fun of summer will feature carnival rides, food, live music and other entertainment, a beer and wine garden, and fireworks.
The festival is presented by the La Grange Park District and the La Grange Business Association.
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Nancy Cummings, executive director of the business association, said they expect between 16,000 and 18,000 people to turn out over three days for the festival that is now in its third year.
Though it is relatively new, the “festival has really been embraced by local residents,” she said.
“It’s very much a neighborhood festival where you get to see people you know,” she added.
One of the highlights of the festival is a human foosball tournament.
“It’s really interesting,” Cummings said. “Instead of little men on a table, you hold on to a pole and are the little men. You kick a soccer ball.”
Festival attendees will be able to watch from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.
“We won’t have an open play component, but we may do that in the future,” said Brett Skeen, executive director of the La Grange Memorial Hospital Foundation, which sponsors the foosball tournament.
The money raised from the tournament will go to support nursing education.
“We’re on a huge journey right now toward magnet status and education is an important component of that,” Skeen said.
Magnet status is an award given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and is considered an elite designation, Skeen said.
The foosball tournament raised $3,500 last year toward a hospital renovation project.
The weekend will feature a variety of live entertainment including: Big Wheel, 16 Candles, School of Rock, The Millennials, American English, Hairbangers Ball, The LaMantia Brothers, Timeless, Mason Rivers and Libido Funk Circus.
Before the festival opens on Sunday, Aug. 7, there will be an inter-denominational community worship service beginning at 10:30 a.m. and featuring the combined choirs from eight local churches. The public is invited to attend.
The American Legion will host bingo at selected times during the weekend. There also will be an area where local businesses will take part in an expo.
“It’s a chance for businesses to showcase themselves,” said Dean Bissias, park district director.
The festival will conclude on Sunday with fireworks at dusk.
Endless Summerfest
Address: Gordon Park, Ogden and Locust avenues, La Grange
Hours: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5; noon to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7.
Admission: $3 admission after 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, children under 12 are free. No admission fee on Sunday.
Rides: Unlimited ride specials are available at the carnival at selected times during the weekend and cost for either $25 or $30, depending on the time.
Parking: Limited and walking to the festival in encouraged. Gordon Park is accessible by Metra and Pace stops on La Grange Road.
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Website: www.lagrangeendlesssummerfest.com