The 2016 Mane Event and Taste of Arlington Heights during the first weekend of August drew more than 20,000 people over the two days of festivities, organizers said.
Events on Friday and Saturday took place in downtown Arlington Heights near Vail Avenue and Campbell Street, with free concerts at Harmony Park.
The Mane Event on Friday evening experienced banner weather, said a pleased Matt Staley, event sponsor spokesman.
“Yesterday was a record crowd for a Friday,” said Staley, who talked about the weekend events shortly before the Taste of Arlington Heights opened at noon that Saturday.
Jon Ridler, Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce executive director, said 20 restaurants participated with 20 businesses as sponsors.
“It’s a great entertainment district,” Ridler said Saturday. “It’s kind of like a summer block party. People are looking forward to school starting and they’re looking at this as an end-of-summer party.”
Ridler said the weekend festivities were poised to kick off the Arlington Million at Arlington International Racecourse later this month. The 34th running for the renowned purse at the racecourse is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 13.
“Similar to the Olympics, the Arlington Million brings together the world to our backyard in Arlington Heights,” Ridler said.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance photographer and reporter for Pioneer Press.
