Lakeside Festival blasts into July with fireworks
By BRETT ROWLAND
CRYSTAL LAKE – Organizers of the 2010 Lakeside Festival are getting ready for the Independence Day weekend with an expanded event this year.
The Lakeside Festival is expected to attract about 30,000 people this year with music, arts, games, tours, food and drink. It will run from July 1 to July 5 at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake.
The Lakeside Legacy Foundation took over the Independence Day weekend in 2009 after the long-running Gala Festival folded.
“It’s a real important part of the character of the city,” said Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley. “They did a great job of maintaining the festival.”
The Gala Festival ended in 2008. Finances were a factor.
The Gala Festival had organized and paid for the annual parade and fireworks over the July 4 weekend for 22 years.
Lakeside Festival Event chair Ron Russell, who is president of the foundation board, said organizers have had some challenges, including a weak economy, but are pleased to see the tradition continue.
“We didn’t want to see the parade and festival go away,” he said. “So we teamed up with the city, the park district, and the Chamber of Commerce to keep it going.”
Last year, the four-day event raised about $85,000 for the foundation, which helps support the community arts park and renovation of the historic Dole Mansion, among other things.
This year, the event will span five days. Organizers added another day to accommodate the fireworks and parade, which are scheduled for July 5.
Local government agencies put up $25,000 for the 2010 fireworks and parade.
The City of Crystal Lake contributed $20,000 and the Crystal Lake Park District contributed $5,000.
Fireworks will begin at dusk on the lake. In a departure from tradition, the City Council voted to hold the events Monday to take advantage of lower costs.
“We are getting 30 percent more for the same amount of money,” Shepley said. “It’s going to be a great show.”
