Gilberts festival targets family fun

Gilberts’ Community Days festival will have carnival rides, live music, food, a car show, games for children and a magic show. But, it will not have fireworks or a parade.

Nonetheless, organizers say they won’t need a street march or rockets in the sky because the four-day festival that starts Thursday, June 2, will have enough on the ground to keep families entertained.

“This is a family-oriented festival that has grown in popularity since it started three years ago,” said Gilberts Village Clerk Debra Meadows. “Admission is free and there will be plenty to do.”

She and six other organizing committee members have worked for five months putting together the list of attractions. As cliché as it sounds, there will be something for everyone in Town Center Park, she said.

It will not mirror past village festivals; it’s not supposed to, she said. It will have the feel of a locally planned festival and the sights, smells and sounds of a large block party.

“The sponsors are local; the food vendors are local,” she said. “This festival is driven by the community.”

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church will have a pig roast on Saturday, the same day Irish dancers will entertain in the park. That’s also the same day crafters will sell their wares.

The festival officially opens at 5 p.m. on Thursday when the carnival rides start spinning. Bands will start performing at 5 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Irish dancers will begin at noon, as does the craft sale.

A martial arts demonstration will begin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday and a magic show will begin at 3:45 p.m. that same day.

The one thing that is still not a sure thing for Community Days is good weather.

“We’ve had it when it was very hot and a little chilly,” Meadows said. “The only thing we don’t like is rain.”

A complete list of events can be seen on the Internet at: www.villageofgilberts.com.

For details, call the Gilberts village hall at (847) 428-2861.