Fiesta Days keeps going, rain or shine

From the Sunday, July 13, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Fiesta Days keeps going, rain or shine
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

McHENRY – Although the morning rain left puddles in the volleyball sand, that didn’t stop six teams playing at McHenry’s Fiesta Days from having a good time Saturday.

“It’s sloppy, but fun,” said Katie Hendle of McHenry. “It’s sand volleyball, so you’re going to get dirty anyways.” Hendle, 19, played on the team sponsored by Harms Farm.

On the drier side of the festival, eight children and six adults competed at the second annual Fiesta Favorite talent competition. Several original compositions were performed, including 16-year-old Brooke Sieben’s song, “All I Need is Time.”

This was Sieben’s second performance at Fiesta Days.

“I just love performing,” said Sieben, who lives in Johnsburg.

“Any chance I get, I take it, and this is local.”

Audience members voted for their two favorite performers in each category. In the children’s category, Maggie Johnson, Hannah Leclair, Dean Palya Jr. and Amber Willis will compete in the Fiesta Favorite Finalits Competition at 2:30 p.m. today.

In the adult category, Thomas Hirschler, Jessica Parson, Amy Yore and Catherine Yore will compete today.

Festival-goer Laurra Koster and her daughters Sierra, 13, and Cheyenne, 11, liked the mix of entertainment and food.

“It’s enjoyable to listen to the talent show and have some dinner, something different,” said Koster of McHenry.

“It really doesn’t matter who’s playing – it’s nice to sit out in the sun and listen to the bands.”

Fiesta Days runs through July 26 at various locations in McHenry.

For information, call 815-385-4300.