Buffalo Grove Days Returns With 5 Days Of Music, Rides And Family Events

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Buffalo Grove Days returns next week with five days of carnival rides, live music, food, family activities and community traditions at Mike Rylko Community Park.

The annual festival runs Thursday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 7, at the park, 951 McHenry Road.

Hosted by the Village of Buffalo Grove and the Buffalo Grove Park District, the event includes concerts, a parade, children's activities, a business and craft fair, bingo, a dog show, blood drives and activities for people with disabilities.

Patch previously reported that Carnival Megabands went on sale earlier this month. The passes provide unlimited rides throughout all five days of the festival and cost $70 through Sept. 2. The price increases to $78 beginning Sept. 3.

RELATED: Buffalo Grove Days Returns In September; Carnival Megabands On Sale Aug. 3

Thursday, Sept. 3

The festival opens Thursday with food trucks and the beverage tent from 5 to 10 p.m.

Carnival rides run from 6 to 10 p.m., with free shuttle service from 6 to 11:30 p.m.

Rotary Bingo begins at 6:30 p.m. under the festival pavilion, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Ten games are planned with a total prize purse of $1,600. Bingo books cost $5 each or five for $20, cash only.

Friday, Sept. 4

Food trucks and the beverage tent are open from 5 to 11 p.m.

Hi Infidelity performs from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by The Brothers Gibb from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Carnival rides run from 6 to 11 p.m., and free shuttle service is available until 11:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 5

Saturday begins with a community blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive.

The Buffalo Grove Days Parade steps off at 11:30 a.m. on Buffalo Grove Road at Thompson Boulevard, travels south to Deerfield Parkway and then west to Mike Rylko Community Park.

More than 60 community groups, businesses and organizations are expected to participate, including the Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high school marching bands and the Jesse White Tumblers.

The Meet Me on Main Street Business & Craft Fair runs from noon to 7 p.m.

Children's entertainment from 12:30 to 3 p.m. includes a Community Arts Center highlights show, face painting, scavenger hunt activities, a Buffalo Grove Police Department K9 demonstration and a petting zoo.

A new Paint & Sip event, led by a local artist from Bottle & Bottega, also runs from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Live music includes 7th Heaven from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Sounds of Seattle from 6 to 8 p.m., and 16 Candles from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The Buddy Baseball Exhibition Game, presented by the Rick Kahen Commission for Residents with Disabilities, takes place from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Rick Drazner Park, 401 Aptakisic Road.

Carnival rides and the beverage tent run from 1 to 11 p.m., with free shuttle service until 11:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 6

A dog show begins the day from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at Reiner Park, 1101 Green Knolls Drive.

A community blood drive runs from noon to 4 p.m. on the festival grounds, while the Meet Me on Main Street Business & Craft Fair returns from noon to 7 p.m.

Puzzle Palooza runs from 2 to 3:30 p.m., with teams of up to four racing to complete a special 500-piece Buffalo Grove Days history puzzle tied to America's 250th birthday. Registration is required.

Line dancing with the Windy City Dancers runs from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., followed by a bags tournament at 3 p.m.

Live music includes Nashville Electric from 3:30 to 5 p.m., LP Vinyl from 6 to 8 p.m., and Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The Rotary Duck Race begins at 5:15 p.m. and will be livestreamed on the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove Facebook page.

Monday, Sept. 7

The festival wraps up Monday with Fun & Food from 10 a.m. to noon, presented by the Rick Kahen Commission for Residents with Disabilities.

The sensory-friendly event gives people with disabilities and their immediate families an opportunity to enjoy carnival rides in a more welcoming environment. Pre-registration is highly encouraged.

The beverage tent is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., food trucks from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and carnival rides from 1 to 6:30 p.m.

Turning Down Today performs from noon to 3 p.m.

Getting There

There is no public on-site parking available except for vehicles with accessible placards or plates.

Free shuttle service will run from three remote parking locations:

• 1100 Lake Cook Road
• Twin Groves Middle School, 2600 N. Buffalo Grove Road
• Buffalo Grove Metra Station, 825 Commerce Court

Street parking is also available in surrounding neighborhoods where permitted.

"Buffalo Grove Days is one of our community's favorite traditions, bringing residents, families, businesses and visitors together for a celebration of everything that makes Buffalo Grove such a special place," Village President Eric Smith said.

"We look forward to welcoming everyone for another memorable five days of fun, music and community."

A complete schedule and additional information are available at bgdays.com.

All activities and times are subject to change or cancellation.