In the days leading up to the final performance of Frontier Days in Arlington Heights on the Fourth of July, residents of all ages have streamed through the festival to take in a variety of entertainment, from carnival rides to free concerts, organizers said.
The crowds that flocked to Frontier Days during the early days of the major festival in town included 6-year-old Charlotte Meyer, of Arlington Heights, who was looking more forward to feeding animals at the Frontier Day’s petting zoo than catching headliners like Dennis Quaid and the Sharks — a band that features actor Dennis Quaid himself.
“When my dad said, ‘It’s time to go (to the festival),’ I was running around happy,” Charlotte said.
The Meyer family is one of many who look forward to the multi-day festival in Arlington Heights each year. The 43rd annual Frontier Days is estimated to attract between 100,000 to 150,000 people this year, said festival co-chairwoman Carmella Lowth.
Along with his daughter Charlotte, Evan Meyers brought his 2-year-old son, Pierce Meyer, to the opening night of the festival on June 29.
“Every year, we enjoy it,” he said.
Actor Dennis Quaid and the Sharks helped kick off the live entertainment during the opening night, entertaining the crowd with original rock songs and classic hits. At one point, Quaid ran into the crowd with his guitar and told the audience how Arlington Heights represents Americana.
Like in past years, Frontier Days this year featured concerts every night except for July 2, which only included access to carnival rides.
The Beatles tribute band American English is set to close the festival with a performance at 7:30 on the Fourth of July inside Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St.
Despite hot and humid weather conditions this past weekend, attendance at the festival has been steady, which wasn’t surprising for organizers, Lowth said
“People come back year after year after year,” she said. “It’s a family event.”
More than 300 volunteers helped put on the festival, which isn’t a fundraiser, although organizes try to donate some proceeds back to nonprofits.
When the festival concludes and if a profit is made, organizers must earmark seed money that is used to start up the next year’s event, Lowth has said.
After a successful event, the nonprofit that hosts Frontier Days typically will donate $40,000 to $50,000 back to other nonprofits in the area, she has said.
But the Frontier Days event really is meant to be about community, said festival co-chairman Pat Peery, a 47-year resident of Arlington Heights.
“It’s amazing to me. There’s a spirit here like none other,” Peery said. “It’s wonderful to see the community come.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance photographer and reporter for Pioneer Press.
