Wauconda loves to show off its local restaurants, musicians and businesses, as well as its community spirit, according to Glenn Starkey, a local business owner and resident.
And a great way to do that, he said, is for the village and Wauconda chamber to sponsor the annual street dance, where people can listen to live music, feast on food prepared right on site, as well as collect food and school supplies for those in need.
“It’s very much a local event,” said Starkey, who serves on the Street Dance committee.
“We want to highlight not only our dynamic Main Street, but also our local music scene. It draws folks in from the area and then we hope they’ll come back to see more of our local talent, who perform at various venues in town,” he said.
In addition, patrons can drop nonperishable food items and school supplies at collection sites on Main Street during the event. “”It’s just a part of the unique Wauconda spirit. The event is free, but we ask folks to keep in mind to help the community,” Starkey said.
Throughout the evening, local musical groups will perform alternately at two different stages, which Starkey said keeps the people moving and interested. “The whole street is filled with music with the bands going back and forth with their sets,” he said.
Bands include Louie Sharp Band, John Lambert, Mike Novello and Ben Kane Acoustic Explosion, Jazz DuJour Trio, Better With Bacon, Hudson McCoy and the Mariachi Juvenil Padre Cuevas.
At 6:30 p.m., the Wauconda High School Marching Band will march through the crowd from the south side of Main Street to the north stage where the mayor will present the annual community service awards.
“It’s so awesome when you have an oboe or a tuba marching past you,” Starkey said.
A DJ will be at the park district beach from 7 to 10 p.m. at the teen scene stage.
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Of course people do get hungry dancing — and local vendors will be out on the streets selling their specialties. “One of the highlights of the Street Dance is the variety of cuisine available from our local restaurants,” said Maria Weisbruch, another member of the committee.
Visitors will see familiar faces serving pizza, tacos, burgers and corned beef sandwiches along with wine and craft beer, she said. Some vendors include Bulldogs Grill, 3 Amigas and Bliss Wine, among others.
A bouncy house and climbing wall will be on Main Street for younger kids, she added.
As for dancing Starkey said he’ll likely just “sway to the music.”
But plenty of other folks like to dance, “and when things cook up late at night, we’ll get more movement, more motion and extreme merriment.”
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.
Annual Street Dance
When: 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday
Where: Main Street, Village of Wauconda
Tickets: Free
Information: 847-526-5580; waucondachamber.org