SKOKIE, IL — This year marks the 19th year of Skokie Backlot Bash, the annual end-of-summer celebration featuring live music, a carnival and a 5k run.
The event is set to return to Downtown Skokie from Friday through Sunday, Aug. 28 through 30. The celebration is again being planned by the Skokie Park District, the Village of Skokie, the Skokie Public Library and the Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Ann Tennes recognized the milestone during the July 20 Village Board meeting.
"Can you believe this is the 19th Backlot Bash? That is amazing, hats off to the Park District, the Village and everyone involved," Mayor Ann Tennes said at the July 20 Village Board meeting.
The festival's name reflects a piece of Skokie history. According to the village, "Backlot Bash" refers to the village's pre-Depression past as a frequent filming location for silent movies produced by the Chicago-based Essanay Film Manufacturing Co. Downtown Skokie, then known as Niles Centre, resembled a town in the popular imagination of the Old West, which made it a useful setting for film shoots.
Here are three things you need to know about the festival in order to enjoy it to the fullest:
The three-day event will feature 18 acts performing on two stages.
On Friday, headliners Rod Tuffcurls & The Benchpress will take the main stage at 8:45 p.m. Jordan will perform before them on the main stage at 7:15 p.m. and Beaubien Cajun Band will perform at 6 p.m. on the beer tent stage.
Saturday, Lucky Boys Confusion will close out the night on the main stage and Jacob Sweet & the Western Harmony will open at 1 p.m. followed by Donna Herula Band at 3 p.m., Banda 380 at 5 p.m. and The Dead On at 7:15 p.m. On the beer tent stage, Kacie Swierk & Aaron Smith will start at 12 p.m. followed by Paul Kaye at 2 p.m., Alicia Lees at 4 p.m. and Hair Affair at 6 p.m.
On Sunday, Tributosaurus becomes Santana will headline the main stage at 6:30 p.m. and Monika J Band will open at 2 p.m. followed by Los Gallos at 4 p.m. On the beer tent stage, Tony do Rosario Duo will start at 1 p.m. followed by Brandi Berry Benson at 3 p.m. and Showtime Band at 5 p.m.
The carnival opens on Friday at 5:30 p.m.and unlimited ride wristbands, which give you access until 9:30 p.m., will cost $35.
Gates open earlier on Saturday at 1 p.m. and unlimited ride wristbands are split into two time slots:
1 to 5 p.m. for $30 and 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.for $35.
On Sunday, the carnival opens at the same time, but closes early at 8 p.m., with unlimited ride wristbands available for 1 to 5 p.m. at $30.
On Saturday, Skokie's Backlot dash 5K and Kids' Half Mile Color Fun Run will be held in Downtown Skokie in and around the event grounds.
Registration on race day will start at 6 a.m., but can also be done online in advance. The 5K will kick off at 8:30 a.m. and costs $40 to participate. The kids' fun run kicks off at 8 a.m. and costs $20.
Participants of the 5K Run will receive Chip timing, a t-shirt and one free beer. For more information about race participation, visit the Backlot Bash website.
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