Heritage Fest packed with fun; it just won't pack a cannon this yea
The economy or the weather cannot be blamed for the vintage cannon being left out of this year's Heritage Fest in West Dundee.
If anything is to blame it's the window-rattling boom it sounds when fired. Organizers of the annual three-day festival in September have invited back the Civil War actors who recreate battles, but they have told them to leave their cannon at home.
"It makes so much noise. It makes the antiquers nervous," said Barbara Haines, one of the leading organizers of the village-run festival. "There's very little room in (Cal Grafelman Park) and the people with the antiques were worried it was going to break something when it was fired."
In the three or four years the cannon has been part of the festival, that hasn't happened.
Last year, the big gun was fired only on Friday night, a day before the antique vendors arrived for Heritage Fest. That made everyone happy. But the same deal wasn't worked out this year when it runs Sept. 12, 13 and 14.
The actors will still bring their tents, uniforms and smaller guns and camp out in the Route 72 park. And other actors will bring their log cabins and the coffin maker will return.
"We would have more room without the cannon though," Haines said.
Except for Friday's fireworks display, the beer, wine and food vendors and the musical entertainment, most of the attractions will be in the park.
This year, planners are inviting firefighters and paramedics from area fire departments to take part in a chili cook-off. The idea is to have the firefighters cook their favorite chili recipes and sell them to the crowds, she said.
The car show will also be held on Saturday and Sunday near the West Dundee village hall at the corner of Route 72 and Second Street.
"A lot of the events will be the same. People really enjoy them," she said. "Attendance has always been good. If you live in the Dundee area it's nice because you don't have to drive far and use gas."
Haines and 11 members of an organizing committee plan the attractions, line up sponsors and volunteers and map out where the booths will be during the festival.
For more information about Heritage Fest or to volunteer during it, call Haines at the West Dundee village Hall, (847) 551-3800.
Send your news about East and West Dundee and Gilberts to Gerard Dziuba c/o Daily Herald, 385 Airport Road, Suite A, Elgin, IL 60123, or e-mail to gerarddz@ameritech.net.