Rainy fest? Village is prepared
If it rains on Friday and Saturday during Heritage Fest, West Dundee trustees are ready again.
For the second year, they have purchased rain insurance in case their three-day festival is washed out. They did the same last year, and it didn't rain a drop.
The previous years, they weren't so prepared. They did not buy rain insurance and all the events, except for the fireworks, were soaked.
Bad weather would not bankrupt the village because of loss of profits, said Village Manager Joe Cavallaro. It would just dampen the fun.
"It's a break-even festival," Cavallaro said. "We've budgeted $55,000 for it and we bring in that amount with the events."
Still, the rain would break the annual fall tradition the festival has created. For the last 13 years, Heritage Fest has been held in September. It started as a way to draw attention to the area's history. Residents have become accustomed to it and it is too important, even in a recession, to discontinue.
It includes fireworks on Friday night and music, and food and beverage sales until Sunday afternoon. This year, it will also include a craft and antique fair, classic car show, a Baggo tournament and more on Saturday and Sunday in and around Cal Grafelman Park.
"We'll have a Battle of the Bands competition on Friday night," Cavallaro said. "Six bands will be competing."
Music will played throughout the festival if it doesn't rain. If it does, the music won't be sad for the money village officials have paid to set up the events.
It could be sadder for a handful of civic organizations, such as the Dundee Township Rotary Club and the Dundee Lions Club, that help village officials. Lions club members cook the annual community breakfast, set for 8-10:30 a.m. Sunday. Rotary Club members donate items for the chili cooking contest planned for 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The weather insurance covers events that are planned from 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It will start reimbursing village officials if a half-inch falls during those times on those nights.
With the insurance, the schedule and prayers for good weather in place, Heritage Fest is just about set to start at 6 p.m. on Friday.
More volunteers are needed to help with some activities, the village manager said. To volunteer, call the West Dundee village hall at (847) 551-3800. A detailed schedule can be found at www.wdundeeheritagefest.org.
If you goWhat: West Dundee Heritage Fest, featuring fireworks, food vendors, music, the Dundee-Crown homecoming parade, a craft fair, a classic car show, an antique fair, Baggo contest, kids' games, pancake breakfast and chili-cookoffWhen: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17-19Where: Park at Spring Hill Mall (routes 31 and 72, West Dundee) and take the free trolley to the festival, which takes place in Grafelman Park, along the Riverwalk and on Second Street and downtown West DundeeCost: Admission is freeDetails: wdundeeheritagefest.org; (847) 551-3800