Gilberts gears up for Community Days festival: Volunteers still needed
Some Gilbert residents are determined not to let the summer slip by without a festival.
For the last seven months they have been meeting, planning and lining up events, and by Friday their neighbors will have a chance to see all their hard work.
Gilberts Community Days will begin at 5 p.m. Friday with food, music and games in the village's Town Center. There will be no carnival rides, but they will be plenty for families to do, said Sue Corbett, a member of the planning committee.
"We're expanding on what we had last year," Corbett said. "We have a little bit more money to work with and more attractions.
"Last year we had from 300 to 500 people attend. It was a nice turnout."
With a budget of $2,500 donated by sponsors and businesses, organizers have planned two full days of events. They include music performed by bands on Friday and Saturday nights, a craft fair on Saturday, a visit from the Kane County Sheriff's Police Mounted Patrols and a chance to see the Flight for Life medical helicopter.
Members of the local Eagles Club will hold a corn roast and neighbors will kick off their playground expansion project at Gilberts Elementary School. More equipment is needed, "because what there is now is not enough to hold one grade level," Corbett said. A business expo will also be held from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday along Route 72.
"We're not trying to make this like the old Gilberts Fest," Corbett said. "This is small now and we're building on it. This is a chance to bring the community back together before school starts."
Gilberts Fest was the summer party the village put on until three to fours years ago. It ended on a wet and sour note. Rain made the parking area muddy mess and kept people away. With attendance low, food and beverage vendors lost money.
Community Days replaced Gilberts Fest a year ago.
This year's party will also be held rain or shine, but the investment is not as much, Corbett said.
Many of the attractions will be held at the Town Center, along Route 72 and Galligan Road. The craft fair will be held in the parking of the village hall, along Galligan Road.
This year's party may be small, but putting it on is still a big job, Corbett said. She and her eight committee members need from 20 to 30 volunteers to help coordinate the games for children, sell tickets for the 50-50 raffle and help in other area. Much of the volunteer help is needed for the events scheduled for Saturday.
Anyone who wants to volunteer should call the Gilberts village hall at (847) 428-2861.
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p>
<p class="News"><b>What:</b> Gilberts Community Days, featuring a corn roast, pony rides, live music, a craft fair, beer tent, Baggo tournament, business expo and more</p>
<p class="News"><b>When:</b> 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 16-17</p>
<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Route 72 and Galligan Road</p>
<p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> Admission is free; food available for purchase</p>
<p class="News"><b>Details:</b> <a href="http://villageofgilberts.com" target="new">villageofgilberts.com</a> or (847) 428-2861</p>