Good Weather Could Mean Good Attendance at Hometown Days

For Timothy Evans, there's no secret involved that accounts for the annual success of Yorkville's annual Hometown Days festival.

"It's a great family event for the community," said Evans, superintendent of recreation for the United City of Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department. "It gives families an opportunity to come out and enjoy some quality time together in a safe, fun environment."

It's the same formula the festival has followed for its 19-year existence. And it's one that it will mimic again this year.

The annual festival runs from Sept. 1 through Sept. 4 at Yorkville's Beecher Community Park. The event will kick off with Family Fun Night on Sept. 1. This night features a $1-per-ride carnival special running from 5 until 9 p.m. at the park, 908 Game Farm Road.

The festival's opening night also will boast $1 food, candy, ice cream and pop and water at the Beecher Concession Stand.

Admission after 5 p.m. on the following days of the festival is $2. Children 5 and younger, though, get in free throughout the entire weekend.

This year's festival again will include live bands, games, carnival rides, magic shows, a pet parade and a car show. There will be and plenty of food.

Evans said that local businesses and vendors long have been a staple of the event. That will continue again this year as local merchants offer food and products to attendees.

"We often hear of attendees discovering new local businesses when they're at Hometown Days," Evans said. "They'll discover a business offering something that they didn't even know existed. They'll try it, like it and become a new regular customer. To me, then, Hometown Days has a dual purpose: It's a fun event for the community, and it allows businesses to showcase what they have to offer."

Evans said that in a typical year, from 30,000 to 35,000 people attend Hometown Days. He says that he expects roughly the same number to attend this Labor Day weekend.

Music is a big part of the event this year. On Sept. 2 from 7 to 10 p.m., the band 16 Candles will perform top hits of the 1980s, while during the same hours on Sept. 3, the band Mike and Joe will perform the top songs of the 1990s and today.

Finally, popular band hi-Infidelity will perform from 7 until 10 p.m. Sept. 4, the closing day of the festival. This band long has been an area crowd favorite. It also long has closed the festival.

Evans said that he doesn't expect the weak economy to result in lower attendance at the festival thanks to the event's affordable price tag.

"This is a relatively inexpensive event for families," Evans said. "As long as we get good weather, the attendance should be strong again. Weather dictates our attendance as much as anything. Our numbers have stayed steady if not slightly increased every year."

A full schedule of events and admission prices are available on the city's website.