Elburn Days celebrates 80 years

Elburn Days has all the fun trappings of a suburban summer festival, but this event is more than meets the eyes.

The Elburn Lions Club, which hosts the event every year in conjunction with the village, donates a large percentage of its profits to several of its charities and benefit projects, including glaucoma screenings, programs aiding the visually impaired and providing guide dogs for those who cannot get one on their own.

The three-day festival kicks off at 8 a.m. Friday with a sidewalk sale and flea market in downtown Elburn. Elburn Days continues through Sunday and will feature a 5k run at 7 a.m. Saturday morning, pork chop and chicken dinners from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and live music and carnival rides the whole weekend.

Other activities include ice cream eating and Elburn Idol contests, truck racing, a truck and tractor pull, a craft sale, a book sale, 4H livestock judging, and a community worship service.

Most of the activity can be found at Lions Park in downtown Elburn at 500 Filmore St.

Parking and admission is free, but money generated from events like the beer garden and entry into the new radio-controlled truck race will generate money for the charities.

Elburn Days has been an annual festival for the past 80 years, a fact it will be celebrated during the annual Elburn Days parade at 6 p.m. on Friday with the theme "celebrating 80 years of service, 80s style."

Despite a weekend packed with events geared toward all ages and interests, Elburn Days organizers are still concerned that the economy could have a negative impact on attendance.

"Over the last 10 years Elburn Days has expanded but this year we think we're going to be down because of the economy and we're trying to account for that the best we can," Elburn Days Chairman Tim Klomhaus said.

By keeping all food prices the same as last year and giving customers the option of purchasing a $15 ride bracelet that allows them unlimited carnival rides during a special period each day organizers hope to stimulate spending.

For a full schedule of Elburn Days events, see the chart on page or visit elburnlions.com.

If you go

What: 80th annual Elburn Days, featuring an 8 a.m. sidewalk sale on Friday, a 7 a.m. 5k run Saturday, an 11 a.m. pork chop and chicken lunch Sunday and live music and carnival rides all three days

When: 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday; 7 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Lions Park, 500 Filmore St., Elburn

Cost: Admission and parking are free, other activity prices vary. New this year is a $15 unlimited carnival ride bracelet customers can use during a certain time each day.

Details: elburnlions.com or see the schedule on page