Summer Celebration Begins July 18 in Vernon Hills

Summer Celebration attendees will find longtime favorite attractions as well as some new features at this year’s event, which will run from July 18-21 at Century Park.

The fireworks display is among the highlights of the festival, said Brian Klemstein, a Vernon Hills resident who volunteers on the event committee. The display will begin at 9:30 p.m. July 18.

“It’s a great atmosphere for families to come out," he said. “The fireworks are probably just as long as the 4th of July fireworks.”

Other attractions will include the carnival, made up of 15 to 20 rides provided by Windy City Amusements, and a wide range of entertainment for people of all ages.

While the event features different national acts each year — Blues Traveler will headline on July 20 — attendees can rely on a performance by a popular regional band each year. Mike and Joe will perform July 19 along with Modern Day Romeos.

 “They draw crowds almost as big as the big national bands,” Klemstein said of Mike and Joe. “The year we didn’t have them, we heard about it from the community.”

Concert seating is first come, first serve. There will be open seating in front of the stage this year, with no VIP section, Klemstein said.

“We’re encouraging people to get there early and stake out their seat,” he said.

Also new this year is the free bags tournament scheduled for 2 p.m. July 21. “We thought we’d have another activity for adults,” Klemstein said.

As of last week, about half of the 32 slots had already been reserved, he said.

A free shuttle will run between Westfield Hawthorn and the festival grounds. The shuttle pick up and drop off passengers near Macy’s. Limited parking will also be available on Lakeview Parkway at the site of the former Opa and Salerno’s restaurants, Klemstein said.

Summer Celebration will take place rain or shine.

“Hopefully the weather cooperates. It’s usually one of the warmest weekends of the year,” Klemstein said.

Summer Celebration is coordinated by a committee of 10 volunteers who meet once or twice per month throughout the year. Volunteers begin planning the event in August. The process including looking at musical acts and reviewing input from fest-goers.

“We really do value input from the community,” Klemstein said.

The volunteer roster grows to about 100 during the actual festival, when area residents step up to sell tickets and beverages, check IDs and monitor parking lots.

For more information about Summer Celebration, visit the event’s website and “like” Vernon Hills Summer Celebration on Facebook.