Live bands, food trucks star in Lake Zurich's Rock the Block

Clear sunset skies and Saturday evening temperatures in the 80-degree range launched the 13th annual Rock the Block event in downtown Lake Zurich on Sept. 12. The free event began at 5 p.m. and ended at 11 p.m.

Three live bands took the stage for an evening of music, including opener yacht rock band The Ron Burgundy’s, pop favorites band Libido Funk Circus and closing rock band 7th Heaven.

Food trucks again lined Main Street along with vendors in booths. A large bar and high tables where a big screen television was located sold adult beverages. Many of the servers were volunteers.

“It’s a perfect night,” said Lake Zurich Mayor Tom Poynton who estimated that 8,000 people attended Rock The Block. This year’s weather included waves of breezes which were refreshing as an experience to feel during the last pleasant days of golden hour lighting summer.

Poynton launched Rock the Block as a community builder event when he was first elected mayor in 2013.

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“That’s the reason why we did this in the first place to do something for the community,” Poynton said. “Really, what the main reason was, to bring people down here to our Main Street area.

“We spent a lot of money doing the streetscape on Main Street.

“This is a different vibe,” Poynton said of improvements to downtown, helping to make Rock the Block a more attractive, secure and efficient venue to help safely accommodate and monitor large crowds.

“This is a way more active, vibrant vibe,” the mayor added.

Up to 100 volunteers gave of their talent and time, Poynton confirmed.

“We wouldn’t get this on without the volunteers,” Poynton said.

There were many complimentary and paid amenities to choose from. Julie Austin of McHenry took a pro selfie at a photo station with a family member and chose to wear bright red sunglasses shaped with the word “Cool.” Austin grew up in Lake Zurich and is of the Lake Zurich High School Class of 1985.

“I love it,” Austin said of Rock the Block. “I come every year.

“I love Lake Zurich. I was here 27 years, so…my family’s still here,” Austin added.

Zara Joneja of Vernon Hills, 7, a second-grader, was seen noshing on an ear of corn with no butter and salt only.

Her sibling Rikin, 13, a seventh-grader, sat on a curb to eat his corn on the cob, also in the company of their parents Nitin and Shivani Joneja.

“It’s a beautiful event, wonderful night, music is great, people are nice here,” Nitin Joneja said. “It’s a beautiful day to hang out.”

Matt and Mariola Mazur of Prospect Heights brought their son Preston, 3, to a Lake County community party.

“It’s nice to have somewhere to go with the little kids,” Matt Mazur said with a smile.

“It’s really nice the community comes together,” Mariola Mazur said about local volunteerism.
Dreux and Emily Dillingham of Lake Zurich attended with their son Calloway, 6, a first-grader. The Dillingham family shared a picnic table to dine outside with Arbin and Krity Shrestha of Lake Zurich and their son Kian, 6, a first-grader.

The two boys noshed on flavored ice while one of the parents tried barbecue pulled pork served over mashed potatoes in a cup, obtained from a nearby food truck with a growing line of buyers.

“We just love this event,” Emily Dillingham said. “It’s wonderful for the community.”

To the volunteers, Arbin Shrestha said, “Thank you, I know there’s a lot of work.

“We appreciate them.”

Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.

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