Four-day Algonquin Founders' Days fest to honor Port Edward restaurant
The theme for this year's Algonquin Founders' Days Festival on July 20-23 will be "Let's Go to the Circus."
Festival hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday at Spella Park, 2610 Harnish Drive. Admission is free; no dogs or coolers allowed.
Music stage
The festival will open on Thursday, July 20, with the opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. and Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band at 7 p.m. performing reggae, surf, trop rock and calypso.
On Friday, July 21, My Metal Heart will open the main stage at 6 p.m. with hard rockin' songs of the 1980s. 7th heaven will headline the evening's entertainment at 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, July 22, X-side will perform at 4:30 p.m., followed by the Rok Brigade, a Def Leppard tribute band, at 6 p.m. The classic rock tribute band ARRA will take the stage at 8:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the Tom Petty tribute band Petty Kings will perform at 4:30 p.m. Jimmy Nick & Don't Tell Mama will close out the four-day festival at 7 p.m.
The festival will finish with a bang with the village of Algonquin's fireworks extravaganza at 9:15 p.m. Sunday.
Cardboard Boat Regatta
The popular Cardboard Boat Regatta opens the four-day festival on Thursday, July 20, at Riverfront Park. Sign up at 3 p.m., with boat building at 4 p.m. The race will begin at 6 p.m.
Parade
On Saturday at 11 a.m., the annual Founders' Day Parade will honor Port Edward restaurant for almost 60 years of unwavering support of the Founders' Days Festival. The grand marshal will be the new owner, Ziya Senturk, who is continuing the tradition. Ziya has been with Port Edward since 2016, where he started out as a consultant and soon after became general manager. Just this year, he became owner due to the passing of beloved founder Ed Wolowiec in late 2022.
Tony Bellino is the Founders' Honoree and Jen Chanda is the Founders' Favorite.
The parade, with the "Let's Go to the Circus" theme, will travel on Eastgate Drive to Algonquin Road, Algonquin Road to Main Street, and Main Street to Madison Street.
The parade winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m.
Expo Market & Bazaar
The Founders' Expo Market & Bazaar will feature local business organizations, retail vendors, crafters, and more.
Bags tournament
Bring your "A Game" and compete in the annual Founders' Bags Tournament at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, and 4 p.m. Saturday, July 22. Cost is $50 per team. It is single elimination, with the top two teams receiving prizes.
Founders' 5K/10K
The Founders' 5K/10K Walk/Run returns on Sunday, July 23, at Algonquin Middle School, 520 Longwood Drive. On-site check-in and registration will be 7:15 to 7:45 a.m.
Abbie and Megan Retzer will be singing the national anthem. The 1-mile Kids' Fun Run for ages 12 or younger starts at 8 a.m. The 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk begins at 8:15 a.m.
Sign up at raceroster.com/71377.
Cost through July 23 is $27 for the 5K run/walk, $32 for the 10K run, or $12 for the Kids' Fun Run. Same-day registration is an additional $3.
Other highlights
On Friday, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., check out the classic cars at the Cruise Night in the Algonquin Area Public Library parking lot.
On Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be children's games and Meijer's Kids' Corner will be offering fun activities.
The Taste of Founders runs daily and features food from Thumka, Knights of Columbus, Got Calzoni and Taco Truck.
Shuttle bus and parking
The Founders' Days Festival will again be offering free parking and shuttle bus services from the JCPenney out lots. The shuttle will run 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 2:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday. No shuttles on Thursday.
Handicapped parking is reserved at the Algonquin Library; there is no parking allowed in that lot other than handicapped parking. There is on-street parking around the side streets of the festival that is marked and enforced by the Algonquin police.
Learn more and get updates at algonquinfoundersdays.com or facebook.com/FoundersDays/.