Augustfest in Des Plaines celebrates silver anniversary

Posted August 05, 2009 11:00 pm

James Kane

Augustfest, which may be the biggest church-sponsored festival in the Chicago area, turns 25 this year. And Joe Ricchio, 18, of Arlington Heights, has been working on it for 12 of those years already, rising to director of setup and takedown.

While the event for most means a chance to listen to bands, hop carnival rides, play bingo or casino games, and enjoy food and drink from a wide variety of vendors, for Ricchio it means a 90-hour workweek. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

"Even though you're not getting paid, you feel good doing it," said Ricchio, who started out lugging ice and cases of pop and now is one of 40 directors working under four co-chairs to pull off the massive event, which relies on hundreds of church volunteers to serve in the neighborhood of 40,000 attendees.

For Ricchio, whose family moved to Arlington Heights from Des Plaines a few years ago, it's a chance to connect up with old friends and maintain his roots. "I look forward to this all summer," he said.

Because the carnival is a $100,000 outlay with the payback dependent on the weather, sponsor St. Zachary Catholic Church is careful not to rely on it to heavily in the church budget, said Angie Lucchesi, one of the four co-chairs. "It can go one way or another," she said of the weather.

The money helps fund the church school and maintenance of the buildings, but the main goal of the church carnival is to create a good time for the community, she said.

"We want everyone to get involved," she said.

Augustfest is held on the grounds of St. Zachary Church 567 W. Algonquin Road, two blocks east of Elmhurst Road. Free parking is also available at Friendship Conservatory.

For additional information, call the automated message system at (630) 575-1580, or contact the parish office at (847) 956-7020 during working hours, or go to saintzachary.org/augustfest.

Padra Meyer of Des Plaines takes a spin on the merry-go-round with her son Daniel, 2, at last year's Augustfest at St. Zachary Catholic Church in Des Plaines. Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer, 2008

25th annual Augustfest When: 6-10 p.m. today, 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday, 1-10 p.m. Sunday Where: On the grounds of St. Zachary Catholic Church, 567 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines Cost: $2 Thursday and 1-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; $3 all other times Parking: Free at Friendship Conservatory, 395 W. Algonquin Road Call: (630) 575-1580 or visit <a href="http://www.saintzachary.org/augustfest" target="new">www.saintzachary.org/augustfest</a> Schedule TODAY 6-10 p.m. Bingo Under A Tent 6-10 p.m. Unlimited rides for $20 7 p.m. Jennifer Jennings Band 7:30 p.m. American English (2 shows), main stage FRIDAY 6 p.m.-midnight Bingo Under A Tent 6 p.m.-midnight Las Vegas Casino, indoors 6:30 p.m. Joe Cantafio & 101st Rock Division (2 shows), main stage 6:30 p.m. DJ Dance Requests, dining tent 9 p.m. Joe Brigante & Anthony (Frank) Cassano, dining tent 9:30 p.m. Infinity (2 shows), main stage SATURDAY 1-7 p.m. Classic Car Show 1-5 p.m. Unlimited rides for $20 1:30 p.m. Don Morman Band, dining tent 3 p.m. to midnight Bingo Under A Tent 3-9 p.m. Children's entertainment, games 5 p.m. Mr. Ash Magic Show, dining tent 6 p.m.-midnight Las Vegas Casino, indoors 6:30 p.m. Band on the Run (2 shows), main stage 6:30 p.m. Stars on Stage Karaoke, dining tent 9 p.m. Hard Luck, dining tent 9:30 p.m. 7th Heaven (2 shows), main stage SUNDAY 11:30 a.m. Outdoor Mass 1-5 p.m. Unlimited rides for $20 1 p.m. Done Deal, dining tent 3-10 p.m. Bingo Under A Tent 3-9 p.m. Children's entertainment, games 4:30 p.m. Jimmy Niteclub, dining tent 5-10 p.m. Las Vegas Casino, indoors 5 p.m. Texas Hold-em Poker Tournament 5:30 p.m. Dot Dot Dot (2 shows), main stage 7:30 p.m. Stars on Stage Karaoke, dining tent 8:30 p.m. Aloha Chicago, main stage 10 p.m. Raffle, $5,000 first prize, dining tent

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