Mount Prospect Lions Host 80th Annual Village Fair July 4-8

The Mount Prospect Lions Club is in the final months of planning its 80th Annual Village Festival, one of the largest summer parties in the Northwest Suburbs. This year’s fest, which will once again be held at Melas Park, runs from July 4th – 8th and promises to provide fun and entertainment for all ages.

“Our dedicated Lions members and volunteers help make the festival a success every year,” said Armand Andreoni, Mount Prospect Lions Club Festival Chairman and Club First Vice President. “Funds raised during the event allow us to continue to make contributions to the Mount Prospect community. The 80th Annual Festival is our main event of the year. There will be a variety of live music, great food and beverages, and fun carnival rides. We will also offer fireworks on July 4th and July 8th, and Family Day fun and activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 8th. And don’t forget our traditional Pancake Breakfast on July 4th starting at 7 a.m. Come with your family, friends, and neighbors to have an enjoyable time.”

Andreoni said that the Lions Festival has been an important part of the Village’s heritage almost since its founding. The festival began on a small scale in 1938 but has grown to be a major summer event in the northwest suburbs. The event kicks off this year with a Fourth of July Parade beginning at 1 p.m. at Emerson Street and Prospect Avenue in downtown Mount Prospect. The parade route then leads to Melas Park where the five-day festival gets underway.

Andreoni said that nightly festival entertainment this year includes headliners: Anthem on July 4th, 7th Heaven (America’s best party band) on July 5th, Catfight (the “darlings’ of the Chicago cover band scene) on July 6th\, Petty Kings (Tom Petty tribute band) and Wedding Banned (playing favorites from the 80’s, 90’s, and beyond) on July 7th, and Gone Country and Elminator on July 8th.

Andreoni also said that discounted pre-sale carnival ride wristbands are now available for purchase until July 3rd at the following locations: Keefer’s Pharmacy, 2012 E. Northwest Highway in Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect Public Works at 1700 W. Central Road, 7-Eleven/Shell Gas Station at 606 W. Northwest Highway, Express Gifts/Shell Gas Station at 630 W. Rand Road, Mount Prospect Village Hall at 50 S. Emerson Street, Mount Prospect Park District/RecPlex at 420 W. Dempster Street, and Cumberland Barbershop at 30 E. Northwest Highway in Des Plaines. Tickets will also be available at the Mount Prospect Lions Club Farmer’s Market every Sunday morning in June at the Metra east parking lot located at Northwest Highway (Route 14) and Emerson Street. Presale wristbands are only $20, a savings of $5. Please see the club’s Web site for specifics regarding unlimited ride times, other specials, and payment options.

Updated Festival information is now available at the club's website http://www.mplions.org/festival.html. The Mount Prospect Lions Club Festival is held each year at Melas Park on Central Road between Northwest Highway and Busse Road, just west of downtown Mount Prospect.

The women and men of the Mount Prospect Lions Club volunteer countless hours of service to the community and are a true embodiment of the Lions Clubs International “We Serve” motto. Major annual club fundraising initiatives, including a five-month farmer’s market and a five-day summer festival, enable the club to give to many charitable endeavors such as: Lions of Illinois Foundation (free hearing and eye exams, and sight/hearing-impaired youth camps), Mount Prospect Food Pantry, eyeglasses and hearing aids for those less fortunate, Operation ROAR (United States Lions natural disaster relief), local school activities, college scholarships for qualifying local high school seniors, Mount Prospect Village services, and Mount Prospect Historical Society . The club welcomes new members willing to give of their time and talents to help others who are in need. For more information, visit www.mplions.org .