Teen bands to rock Carol Stream stage
Six years ago, a group of Carol Stream high school students approached village Trustee Matt McCarthy and asked if they could set up their own community event.
The teens, members of the village’s 12-person Youth Council appointed by the village board, wanted to organize their own music festival as part of what was then a four-day Summer in the Center celebration.
It would be a music festival organized by teens, featuring teens and for teens.
The idea caught on and even when the economy forced the village to scrap Summer in the Center two years ago, the Youth Council music festival continued.
“Usually hundreds of people come out for it,” said Nick Saverino, a member of the council.
The festival will be held again this year from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at the Ross Ferraro Town Center gazebo stage at the southwest corner of Gary Avenue and Lies Road.
This event is free. Concessions will be available and proceeds will help pay for the fest.
“The Youth Council organizes everything; they schedule the date and pick the bands that will perform,” McCarthy said.
This year there will be nine bands performing and each will play a 40-minute set.
“They get to share their own styles of music; the music we have this year is all across the board,” McCarthy said.
Among the bands there will be a variety of acoustic, country, hard rock, pop and alternative music.
The festival gives young musicians a chance to perform live in front of their friends, family and community.
“It kind of lets people promote themselves and have fun,” Saverino said.
At least one person from every band that performs is a Carol Stream high school student.
“I believe it gives the teenage residents a chance to have something of their own that we as a village support,” McCarthy said.
If you go
What: Carol Stream Youth Councils sixth annual music festival
When: 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 25
Where: Ross Ferraro Town Center, southwest corner of Gary Avenue and Lies Road
Cost: Free