Grayslake’s Central Park is the type of place where you can put out a blanket and relax. Throw the football around. Enjoy a family picnic. At the Taste of Grayslake June 25, you can do the same thing — with a few thousand friends — and enjoy an evening of fireworks at the end of the day.
“We have people who will get here at three o’clock, get their setup together and enjoy themselves until the fireworks at night,” said Paul Price, the marketing and communications specialist for the Grayslake Park District. “It’s a huge event, but it can also be a family picnic, with a lot more going on.”
The annual event, held at Central Park from 3 to 10 p.m., features carnival rides, live music, 17 food vendors and a beer and wine garden. While it returned last year after missing 2020 due to the pandemic, Price said he’s happy to get the festival back to its original size.
“We did come back last year, but it wasn’t quite the same event, with more social distancing and everything,” he said. “Now we’re back up to full speed for this year, and it’s exciting to be able to do it with everyone again.”
For entertainment, two bands will be performing. First up is the Gina Gonzalez Band, which takes the stage from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Gonzalez has developed a large following in the Chicago area, and with more than 1,000 cover songs performed, she’s been dubbed the “human jukebox.” She’s known for playing anything from Etta James to Alice in Chains.
At 7 p.m. Vinyl Goldmine takes over and performs until 9:30 p.m. It’s a rock band that performed the early slot at last year’s Taste of Grayslake.
“They killed it last year,” Price said. “Everyone liked them so much that we had them back as the headliner this year. They do a lot of rock and funk, and they’re just having a really good time.”
Carnival rides will be available to entertain the kids from 3 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $1.25 each with a sheet of 22 for $22.
The event isn’t called Taste of Grayslake for nothing, and this year 17 vendors will be providing sustenance for a day in the park.
“We are lucky to have a wide variety of vendors coming,” Price said. “You’ll have no problem finding something to eat here.”
More Top Picks Best Sunglasses Under 3000 For Men
Those providing food include BBQ Productions, the Brat Shop, Serena Grill, Dog N Suds and the Pierogi Rig. For those with a sweet tooth, save room for dessert with a scoop from Rainbow Cone, funnel cakes from Tres Flores or something cold from the Tropical Chill Ice Cream Truck.
“The Pink Cupcake and Nothing Bundt Cake will be serving desserts as well,” Price said.
New for the festival this year is chair rentals by MySportSeat, which features chairs with an extendible sunshade and a cup holder to rent for $7. “If you don’t want to carry your own chairs to the park, this is a nice option,” Price said.
The crowds gather throughout the day in anticipation of the fireworks, which will be set off when the band finishes around 9:30. The Village of Grayslake and Grayslake Chamber of Commerce are both partners of the festival, which is the village’s biggest community event of the year and gets the Independence Day celebration started.
“We set them off a few days earlier than most, but nonetheless, they are spectacular,” Price said. “Bring your blanket. Bring your chairs — or rent one. Sit down for a while and enjoy the food. Listen to the music. And then you’ve got fireworks. What more could you need?”
Taste of Grayslake
When: 3-10 p.m. June 25
Where: Central Park, 250 Library Lane, Grayslake
Tickets: Free
Information: 847-223-7529; glpd.com
Jeff Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.