Flooding Forces Algonquin Founders' Days To Switch Locations

ALGONQUIN, IL - Officials with Algonquin's Founders' Days have decided to move the festival due to flooding in the downtown area. The festival, which was originally scheduled to be held at Towne Park, will instead take place this year at Algonquin Lakes Park, 1401 Compton Drive in Algonquin. Founders' days, which is always held the last weekend in July, will continue to run from July 27 through July 30.

The decision came days after heavy rains hit the area and as flooding continues to wreak havoc on the downtown Algonquin area. Towne Park has been closed for several days. And the Founders' Board decided to move the festival.

"The safety of the community is more important than location of the festival," according to a statement Wednesday morning from the Founders' Days Committee.

The Algonquin Founders’ Day festival returned to its downtown location in Towne Park last summer after a three-year hiatus. The festival moved Algonquin Lakes Park in 2013 to make way for construction of the Western Bypass project. Prior to that, the festival had been held for 57 years in Towne Park.

All activities scheduled for the festival this year will continue as announced with the potential of adding three more events, according to festival organizers. More updates are expected in the coming days.

For more, visit the Algonquin Founders' Days website or the Algonquin Founders' Days Facebook page.