West Chicago Food Festival returns with 23 vendors and three live bands Aug. 27

West Chicago's Food Festival returns on Saturday, Aug. 27, to the historic downtown area with 23 food and beverage vendors, along with live music and fun activities for all ages.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring their blankets and chairs to enjoy the event, which is being held during the evening hours for the first time since its inception.

From 4 to 8 p.m., stroll through the downtown area near the West Chicago Museum, 132 Main St., while enjoying some music, family activities, and food. There also will be a painting demonstration.

"This year's event is going to be bigger and better than ever," said Nicolette Stefan, City of West Chicago Special Events Coordinator. "There will also be a face painter and balloon twister at the event, along with plenty of great live music to enjoy."

Generation will open the music stage performing iconic, popular rock 'n roll hits from 4 to 5 p.m. It will be followed by Sunfallen, performing modern and classic country and rock, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. One Night Band will close out the fest from 7 to 8 p.m.

The vendors will include:

• Aijo Kitchen LLC offering Japanese fusion dishes like miso mac & cheese and bao buns, also known as steamed buns.

• Cookieswflavor with cookies, root beer floats, ice cream sandwiches, and more.

• Churros Y Chocolate Inc. returning with fresh churros, made daily, and ice cream.

• Dave's Atomic Hot Sauce with mild hot sauces like Mariachi or for the brave the Carolina Reaper.

• The Dock at Inwood Flight Deck Truck on Galena Street offering over 20 flavors of margaritas; no drinks will be allowed beyond the 21-and-older fenced area on Galena and one drink per ID at a time.

• Flyin Hawaiian with Huli-Huli chicken, a traditional Hawaiian dish of grilled chicken prepared by barbecuing a chicken over mesquite wood and basting it with a sweet sauce.

• Got Calzoni serving up fresh and handmade calzones, like "The Louie," a Chicago style sausage and sweet pepper calzone, or "The Forager," made with a mozzarella blend and fresh seasonal vegetables, as well as a bean salad and cannoli.

• Grumpy Gaucho serving empanadas, churros, and more

• Kissed By Fire offering wood-fired pizza and barbecue, like the Chicago Gangsta Pizza with smoked pork shoulder bacon, sausage, roasted garlic, red onion, and giardiniera.

• The Jerk Store specializing in artisan, small batch beef jerky, smoked nuts/snacks, spices and more. The jerky is hand sliced, smoked with hickory, and uses no nitrates, MSG or added preservatives.

• La Humita On Wheels returning with corn in a cup, sandwiches, tacos, and more.

• Mamalicious Jerk N Curry Cuisine serving Jerk N Curry dishes, including Jamaican Jerk Lobster and Jerk N Curry Shrimp.

• Popcorn Time, which has been a part of Food Fest since the very first year in 2018, featuring gourmet popcorn flavors.

• Poupee Puf, a gourmet cotton candy cart with flavors like birthday cake, blue razz and watermelon.

• Pot-Pots Poutine offering poutine, Canada's national dish of french fries with cheese curds and gravy.

• Relish Food Truck serving Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, a chili dog topped with Fritos, or a Mac 'N' Cheese Bowl topped with bacon.

• Savory Crust, a Filipino inspired truck specializing in baked empanadas and rice bowls.

• Sausage Fest offering Polish sausages, German bratwurst, vegetarian Italian sausage, and more. Pick your toppings, like grilled onions, sauerkraut, peppers, and onions.

• Serna's Grill Food Truck with gyros served stuffed or wrapped in pita bread. They will also be serving burgers, Italian beef, and more.

• SnoProblems is back with a variety of snow cone flavors.

• Stix and Noodles offering homestyle Filipino food, including a BBQ stix meal, grilled chicken adobo and more. You can get your meals with rice or pancit noodles.

• Sugar Mama's Mini Donuts, which has also made appearances at Blooming Fest and Frosty Fest.

• Yummy Food Time offering sausages and sausage based meals.

"It's going to be a lot of fun for everyone," Stefan said, "so, bring your friends and family along with some blankets and chairs for a delightful evening in our downtown, and let the city handle the rest."

For more information about the event or street closures, visit westchicago.org/foodfestival or www.facebook.com/WestChicagoFoodFestival. For questions, contact Special Events Coordinator Nicolette Stefan at specialevents@westchicago.org or (630) 293-2200 ext. 176.