New Attractions Set For Yorkville Hometown Days Festival

YORKVILLE, IL — There will be plenty of new attractions and fun favorites from years past during the 26th Annual Yorkville Hometown Days Festival beginning Thursday, Aug 30. The 2018 festival runs through Sunday, Sept. 2 at Beecher Community Park, 908 Game Farm Road. United City of Yorkville's website has provided a detailed schedule highlights of the upcoming family-oriented event:

Admission:

• Hours - Thursday, Aug. 30 (4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), Friday, Aug. 31 (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.), Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1 and 2 (9 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
• Price - $2 after 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1 and 2.
• Carnival Wristband special - Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1 and 2; unlimited carnival rides from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for $20 a rider.

New this year:

Pet Fest - Saturday, Sept. 1 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.); will be held near the Ultimate Air Dogs Competition:

• Strut Your Mutt Competition - Registration begins at 10 a.m., competition at 10:30 a.m. All pets are welcome; however, must have all valid tags, and be leashed or caged at all times. Categories: Largest, Smallest, Furriest, Longest Tail, Most Beautiful Eyes, Best Trick (10 Seconds), Most Unique/Interesting, Owner/Pet Look-A-Like, and Best Costume.
• How Do You See Your Dog? - 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Ever wonder what your dog is thinking or feeling? As someone who reads dog conversations all day long, every day, Lanette from Mid-Day Play will explain the subtle nuances of dog behavior and communication.
• Barney Dog Bakery Treat Tasting - 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.; There will be homemade, all natural dog treats from Barney Dog Bakery. For $5 per pet you will receive seven treats including: *Grain Free Mini Pupcakes *Peanut Butter Banana Bone *Grain Free Cheesy Bacon Bone *Porkalicious with Smoked Pulled Pork *Puppy Paw with Pumpkin and Peanut Butter *Liver Chip *Bodacious Breath with Mint and Parsley.
• Robin's Dog Stars - 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.; Watch Cedar, the Border Collie, and Gracie, the black Labrador, as they perform over 50 tricks in this entertaining and interactive dog show.
• Mid-Day Play Zone - 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Does your dog play well with others? If so, for $5 for ten minutes Mid-Day Play will be available to help you understand if your dog is exhibiting appropriate play behavior while in a fun, controlled and safe fenced in area. Participating dogs must have all valid tags.
• Paw Patrol's Chase & Marshall - 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Meet and takes pictures with your favorite four-legged heroes, Paw Patrol's Chase and Marshall! Chase will be available from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and Marshall from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Advanced Disposal Family Area (see above). Participants are responsible to take their own pictures.

Live Band Karaoke - Register now for free and reserve your spot as day-of registration will be taken as time allows. View the Song List with over 300 songs available.

Live music lineup:

• Thursday, Aug. 30 - Yorkville Big Band, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 31 - Austin French (6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.), Paul May Comedy (7:15 p.m. - 8 p.m.), Citizen Way (8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.)
• Saturday, Sept. 1 - Dixie Crush (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.), Live Band Karaoke (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.). Mike and Joe (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
• Sunday, Sept. 2 - 7th Heaven (4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.), Hi-Infidelity (7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.)

Festival favorites returning this year:

• Advanced Disposal Family Area - Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1 and 2 (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.); the family area will feature bounce houses, Touch-A-Truck, and Jacob's Well free comfort station. Come cool off with Jacob's Well or bring your kids for a fun and free time in the bounce houses.
• Ultimate Air Dogs Competition - All weekend; Friday, Aug. 31 through Sunday, Sept. 2

Thursday, Aug. 30:

• Big Band & BBQ - Thursday, Aug. 30 (4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.); enjoy 5-B's BBQ Pork and Chicken for $13 per dinner or $25 for two dinners from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. while enjoying a live performance by the Yorkville Big Band from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Carry out is also available. All proceeds go to support programs and services provided by Senior Services Associates. For more information please call Senior Services at 630-553-5777. Meal tickets are on sale at the Beecher Community Center.

Friday, Aug. 31:

• Baby Contest - Friday, Aug. 1 (5:30 p.m.); Registration will begin at 5:15 p.m. Participants may register for up to two categories and will be divided up by gender and two age divisions, 0 to 9 months and 10 to 18 months. Download the Baby Contest Flier to see the categories and more information.
• Live music - Austin French (6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.), Paul May Comedy (7:15 p.m. - 8 p.m.), Citizen Way (8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.)

Saturday, Sept. 1:

• Baggapalooza - Saturday, Sept. 1 (12 p.m. registration, tournament is 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.); The tournament features cash prizes awarded to to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. The tournament costs $25 per person and $50 per team.
• Black Dog Distillery - Saturday, Sept 1. (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.); under the beer tent. The tasting costs $10 per person which includes 3 tastings of different types of rum and vodka manufactured by Black Dog Distillery as well as two mixed cocktails.
• Yorkville Junior Women's Fall Craft Show - Saturday, Sept. 1 (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.), Sunday, Sept. 2 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.); more than 50 vendors in attendance. For more information or to become a craft show vendor, please contact the Teresa Wedeen by phone at 630-605-1546 or by email.
• Live music - Dixie Crush (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.), Live Band Karaoke (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.). Mike and Joe (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.)

Sunday, Sept. 2:

• Dempsey Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Pride and Joy Car Show - Sunday, Sept. 2 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) in the Beecher Community Center Parking lot. Participants may pre-register and find more info. at www.yorkville.il.us/register. Download the Car Show Flier for a full list of categories.
• Community Performances - Sunday, Sept. 2 (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.); If your organization or company would like to perform for a short period at the 26th Annual Hometown Days Festival please contact the Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department at 630-553-4357.
• Coffee with the Council - Sunday, Sept. 2 (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.); Join Mayor Golinski and the Yorkville City Council for a morning of coffee and conversation during the Yorkville Hometown Days Festival and Trinity United Methodist Breakfast!
• Brenart Eye Clinic Craft Beer Tasting - Sunday, Sept. 2 (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.); under the beer tent with great music; $15 per person or $25 per couple and includes a souvenir tasting glass, 6 three-ounce tastes, and 1 fourteen-ounce glass of your choice. You do not need to register for this tasting, just stop by to enjoy craft beer tastings.
• Live music - 7th Heaven (4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.), Hi-Infidelity (7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.)

Parking: Your best bet is parking in the designated grass area next to the track. Other options:

• Beecher Center
• Yorkville City Hall
• The Yorkville Public Library
• Yorkville High School
• Yorkville Freshman Academy

Not allowed on festival grounds:

• Coolers
• Skateboards
• Bikes
• Rollerblades
• Pets, although service animals are permitted

A complete schedule of events, in addition to information for those interested in volunteering or being a vendor or exhibitor, can be found at yorkville.il.us.

More up to date festival information: Yorkville Parks and Recreation Facebook Page

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