The three-day Elote Festival in Round Lake Beach drew thousands of people over the weekend amid banner weather.
At the Friday evening opener, the midways and grounds were filled with people outside the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center. Last year’s Elote Festival attracted more than 28,000 people.
While the festival is about the corn, with different takes on how elote is best served, it is also about the music, the camaraderie, the more than 20 vendors, and yes, the carnival, all enjoyed as a Lake County community at the close of summer. Also on hand was Maizito, the festival’s mascot.
“We are thrilled at how Elote Festival has grown in Round Lake Beach over the last four years,” Mayor Scott Nickles said. “It’s incredible. The event has grown so big, so quick.”
Nickles said the idea for the Elote Festival started with a conversation four years ago “of what could we do next? And we’re like, ‘elote.’”
Elote is a traditional Mexican street dish that combines corn with fixings such as mayonnaise and spices.
For the Giles family of Waukegan, who sold roasted corn on the cob on a stick, seasoning the cob with mayo, cheese, butter and chili pepper creates a handheld treat with no dishes to toss, just organic materials to recycle.
The ”secret” to good elote is that “You gotta give it a lot of love,” according to booth vendor Jesus Giles, 16, of Waukegan.
“You make it with love (and) everything comes out good,” his uncle Alfredo added.
Professional musical entertainment took place on the outdoor stage along the civic building. The audience visibly grew as the sun went down. The dance floor was filled with bopping fans as the opening band played Spanish rock.
Those appearing on stage to welcome the crowd included Berenice DesBiens of Round Lake Beach, facility and operations coordinator at the Cultural and Civic Center.
“Elote Festival is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of culture, food, and community,” DesBiens said. “We’re proud to transform Round Lake Beach into a vibrant area where families can enjoy outstanding music, delicious flavors, and a truly unique festival experience.
“It’s an honor to help bring people together in such a joyful way,” she said.
The Friday night excitement also included the Elote Festival Queen Pageant, which took place in the inside auditorium. Air conditioning was probably a good idea for the three contestants who were formally dressed and answered nerve-wracking pageant questions.
Miss Elote Festival Queen 2025 and Little Miss Elote Festival Queen 2025 were selected, and each received a scholarship and acted as event ambassador hosts. The pageant brochure said the winners also would experience, “a weekend of royal treatment at the Elote Festival.”
Jill Pokorny, Round Lake Area Pageant director, said that by “participating in the pageant, they (contestants) learn public speaking skills, how to think on their feet (and) how to respond in an articulate manner. It’s a life skill.”
Charlotte Michler, 11, a sixth-grader from Round Lake, became the Little Miss Elote Festival Queen. Yaileen Diaz Gomez, 16, a junior at Grayslake Central High School, was crowned Miss Elote Festival Queen.
The cultural symbolism of elote corn for Diaz Gomez, “is really about growth, and hard work and resilience.”
She said her father came to the United States, “on his own” and “just sacrificed. My whole family came from Mexico, so it’s amazing to celebrate elote.”
