After nearly three decades, the Antioch Taste of Summer Festival has become a July tradition, attracting people to the village’s downtown for carnival rides, food, and live music.
“It’s a family-friendly way to enjoy the summer,” said Barbara Porch, the executive director of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the festival. “It always gets nice crowds, and people come back year after year.”
The four-day festival, running from July 14 to 17 this year in downtown Antioch, features a lineup of musical entertainment that leans heavily into tribute bands. But visitors will also experience a patriotic musical light show just after dark on the festival’s first three days.
Hours are from 4 to 10 p.m. July 14; 4 to 11 p.m. July 15; noon to 11 p.m. July 16; and noon to 7 p.m. July 17.
“This will be our second year of hosting it,” Porch said. “We turn the lights off on the stage, and hundreds of tiny pixel lights create images, colors and patterns, and it’s set to patriotic music.
“People really enjoyed it last year, so I’m glad we’re bringing it back,” she said.
The main-stage entertainment, held at the Antioch Bandshell, starts on Thursday with a performance by Lauren Ashley Hall beginning at 4 p.m. She’s best known for her appearance on “The Voice” and offers a mix of pop-influenced music.
She’ll be followed at 7 p.m. by Second Hand Soul, a popular Chicago-area band that focuses on the hits of Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Jame Brown, and other legends of soul music.
Friday night’s music begins at 5 p.m. with Simply Elton, an Elton John Tribute band, followed by an Abba tribute band, Dancing Queens, at 8 p.m.
Saturday features the Aging Teen Idols kicking off the day at noon, followed by Neverly Brothers at 4 p.m. (a tribute to early rock including Elvis and the Beatles) and Heartache Tonight (an Eagles cover band) at 8 p.m.
On Sunday, you can catch Logan Ramey’s “Tribute to Elvis” at noon, followed by the Modern Day Romeos at 3 p.m. This high-energy six-person band offers a mix of classics from Motown to today.
“We try to appeal to a wide audience with our mix of music,” Porch said. “There’s something for everyone.”
As expected at a festival with “taste” in its name, you’ll find a variety of food vendors, including the Brat Shop, Casa Ruiz, Lodge of Antioch, Rivalry Alehouse and Barone’s Restaurant.
Carnival rides are a big draw as well, with a large offering of attractions for all ages. For families with special needs, the carnival will be open on Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. to allow community members to enjoy the event without loud noises, crowds and other barriers that can be difficult to overcome.
“This is a time where people with special-needs family members can come and enjoy a couple of hours at the carnival,” Porch said. “There’s no charge to them or the family, and the music is quiet. There are no bright flashing lights, so it’s easier for people who are bothered by that to enjoy it. It’s only open to families with special-needs children, so they don’t have to deal with crowds or other distractions.”
The free festival also features a beer garden, a sidewalk sale in downtown Antioch and exhibitor booths featuring local vendors.
“It’s a great way to bring the Antioch community together,” Porch said.
Antioch Taste of Summer
When: July 14-17
Where: Antioch Bandshell, 900 Skidmore Drive, Antioch
Tickets: Free
Information: 847-395-2233; antiochchamber.org
Jeff Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.