The Carpentersville area will celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary a week early this weekend, with a blues fest, parade, fireworks and car show all part of the festivities.
Things get underway Friday with the opening night of Duke’s Blues N’ BBQ Festival in Carpenter Park.
Except for a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, East Dundee restaurateur Terrance “Duke” Seward and his Taste The Love nonprofit have been hosting a event since 2016.
“We have a six-member board headed by my wife, Rhiannon, that oversees the event. She’s allowed me to do this all these years, and I couldn’t do this without her,” Seward said.
Sixteen bands over three days will be featured, with Friday’s acts taking the stage from 5 to 10 p.m., followed by a full day of music — 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. — on Saturday. It wraps up Sunday with an auto show, music and other activities planned for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday’s headlining night will be Carlisle Guy and the NuBlu Band.
“She’s Buddy Guy’s daughter, and they will just be getting back from touring Brazil with her dad,” Seward said.
Food will be available from Seward’s barbecue restaurant as well as Taqueria El Tio Ramos, Cook’s Ice Cream, Happy’s Pretzels, Street Eats and Jamaica Mi Hungry.
As was the case last year, Saturday’s fest coincides with Carpentersville’s Independence Day morning parade and the Dundee Township Park District’s evening celebration and fireworks show at the Meadowdale Park and Shopping Center. Seward said he worked with Village President John Skillman and park district officials to coordinate the events.
“It was pretty cool last year, as you could see the fireworks from the park as the band played,” Seward said.
The village’s Independence Day Parade will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday along a new route centered around Carpenter Park, said Jen Hyde, Carpentersville marketing and special event coordinator.
“The updated route remains primarily within residential neighborhoods, creating a more comfortable viewing experience while highlighting the beauty of the park. It will conclude near the Carpenter Park band shell, where attendees can continue the celebration at Duke’s Blues Fest,” Hyde said.
While the route does not used Carpenter Boulevard along the east side of the park, she said construction along the road should be done in time for the busy weekend.
The parade will have about 50 entries, including Fox Valley Flourish Twirling Club, Bringing Out Talent Dance Company (B.O.T.), Determination Dance, Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois-Prairie Skies Service Unit, Roaring ’57s, Brassworks Band and River City Rhythm Drum Line, which will be making its Carpentersville parade debut.
Dundee Township Park District’s celebration followed by fireworks runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Meadowdale Park and Shopping Center.
Katie Keller, park district superintendent of marketing and communications, said that due to ongoing road construction along Besinger Drive, traffic flow and parking access near the fireworks site will be affected. Drivers are reminded that Besinger Drive is one-way south of Ball Avenue through Kennedy Drive, she said.
“With portions of Besinger Drive currently limited to one-way traffic, people may experience delays,” Keller said. “To help ensure a smooth arrival, guests are encouraged to park in the Meadowdale Shopping Center lot.”
A walking path will lead from the shopping center to the Meadowdale Park event field near Carpentersville Village Hall, and a second pedestrian entrance will be available at Liberty Lanes on Mall Drive, she said.
“Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and follow posted signage and staff directions,” Keller said.
As for the event, food and beverage vendors will include Kona Ice, K’s Vending, the Lions Club and La Chilanguita. Entertainment will include a DJ and a climbing tree for kids, with the fireworks scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
The weekend will wind down from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in Carpenter Park with a car show, food and more music. Seward said the acts that afternoon will include a band from Dundee Middle School.
To mark the country’s upcoming Semiquincentennial, Seward said the souvenir blues fest T-shirt being sold will have a theme noting the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
