Fiesta Days planners put focus on family

From the Friday, July 11, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Fiesta Days planners put focus on family
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

McHENRY – From 1960s Beatles music to wild game meat, the organizers of McHenry’s Fiesta Days promise something for everyone this year.

The festival kicks off at 4 p.m. today at Petersen Park, off McCollum Lake Road in McHenry.

There will be 13 food vendors offering plenty of pizza, hot dogs, Chinese food, seafood and even game – wild boar, buffalo and elk sausage, said Jane Manny, events director for the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce.

The music selection throughout the weekend will span from the 1960s to the 1990s. Friday will feature ’80s music. Saturday’s Led Zeppelin tribute band will channel the music of the 1970s. Later that night, headliner band the Spin Doctors will play music from the 1990s. Sunday’s entertainment will feature Beatles and Motown tunes from the 1960s.

For children, there will be carnival rides and games, track-and-field events, balloons, finger-painting and more.

“It’s important to me that families stick together,” Fiesta Days Chairwoman Karen Noel said. “This is an event that everybody can go to.”

New this year, the Riverview Theatre will perform Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” next weekend at Veteran’s Memorial Park. Parking is free and available at Petersen Park. Overflow parking also is available as needed.

“[Residents] can look forward to lots and lots of fun,” Noel said. “There’s multiple things for just about every age group.”

Fiesta Days, which is one of the oldest festivals in the area, runs today through July 26 at Petersen Park, Veterans Memorial Park and other locations in McHenry.

For information, call 815-385-4300.