It started with the village of Fox Lake wanting to put on a boat show.
It ended up becoming a new three-day event featuring boat, RV and motorcycle vendors; a movie; food and drink vendors; ring toss and other games; circus performers; live music; a community art project; a cardboard boat race; and a tattoo/body art festival thrown in for good measure.
“We wanted to do something different,” said Amy Serafin, recreation director for the village of Fox Lake.
So staff created the inaugural Land and Lake Days from Friday through Sunday.
The village usually shows a movie on a Friday night in July and holds the cardboard boat races later in August, so the staff put that together with new activities and created the festival, Serafin said.
“We had a great time planning it, and I think everybody is going to have a great weekend,” she said.
It begins Friday with the showing of “Jaws,” on a big screen at Lakefront Park facing Lake Nippersink, so people can watch it from lawn chairs and blankets on land or from their boats on the lake. Free popcorn will be provided.
Boat, RV and motorcycle vendors will have vehicles around all weekend for people to view.
Vendors will sell hot dogs, crepes, cupcakes, ice cream, gourmet popcorn and juices.
The Fox Lake volunteer Fire Department will sell beer, wine and some other select spirits.
As for the tattoo/body art festival, “it’s no secret there are several tattoo artists in Fox Lake and in the surrounding areas and what better way to bring arts to Fox Lake than highlighting what we already have here?” Serafin said.
The artists will demonstrate their work and will be licensed to create a tattoo if someone requests it, she said.
“It would have to be a small one though because of the time involved,” she said.
Henna tattoos, nail art and hair art will also be demonstrated.
The event also features face painting, balloon twisting and caricatures.
On Saturday, children can take pony rides or visit the petting zoo, and live music will be going on all day.
Entertainers on Saturday include Animal Farm Band at 11 a.m.; the Allstars, a circus group, at 12:30 p.m.; the Nashville Electric Company, a country band, at 3 p.m.; and Piano Man Productions, a Billy Joel and Elton John tribute, at 6 p.m.
The village has sponsored the cardboard boat races for 19 summers, and this year, it will kick off on Sunday at 8 a.m. when people can register and purchase a boat-building kit for $30.
Some racers register early and build their boats at home, Serafin said.
“You either sink fast or keep paddling and steering. It’s much harder than it looks. The audience really gets into it and keeps the racers going and motivated.”
Other activities include a community art project led by artist Amanda Munson, who will bring tiles for the community to paint and then create a mosaic from the tiles, which will be installed on an art wall in Fox Lake.
Also on Sunday will be the Carnival of Curiosity and Chaos, a troupe that does circus and other acts.
More Top Picks Best Wireless Tv Headphones For Seniors
Two cover bands will perform from 3 to 5 p.m. to cap off the three-day event.
“We encourage everyone to come out and savor the last of our summer days with us during this fun three-day event,” Serafin said.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.
Land and Lake Days
When: Friday through Sunday
Where: Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake
Tickets: Free
Information: 847-432-6000 or foxlake.org