Here’s Your Guide to Summer Festivals in DeKalb County – Shaw Local

School is out for the summer and the festivals are just beginning.

Katherine McLaughlin, director of marketing at the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she looks forward to this summer’s festival lineup.

“We at CVB are excited about the festival, especially the new festivals that are being added,” McLaughlin said. “It’s exciting to see each festival grow over the years. We get phone calls about festivals that started small, and now everyone outside the county is looking forward to them.

McLaughlin said the events provide unique experiences for residents of DeKalb County and surrounding areas.

“The festivals also attract other people from outside the county,” she said. “There are festivals that attract different crowds: 5Ks, car shows, carnivals, food trucks, etc. There are also a variety of different events at festivals. every taste.

Krissy Johnson, executive director of the Genoa Region Chamber of Commerce, said she looks forward to hosting in-person events again after two years of virtual and limited programs.

“What I’m most looking forward to is people coming together again and seeing people’s faces as they explore Genoa,” Johnson said. “There has been a lot of adaptation in recent years. Some events have taken place, but we can’t wait to get things into full swing this year.

Johnson said the events also help cities financially.

“Events and festivals certainly contribute to economic development,” Johnson said. “When people come to Genoa, it helps all the businesses in the city and everyone thrives.”

Here is a list of local festivals to attend between now and Labor Day in September:

Genoa Days

Dates: June 8 to 11

Location: Genoa city center

The 86th Genoa Days is a fundraising carnival hosted by the Genoa-Kingston Fire Department and hosted by Skinner Amusements. The four-day festival will include rides, nightly entertainment, food games and live music. Ride wristbands are $25 each. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 11.

Malta Days

Appointment: June 10 to 12

Location: Lions Park in Malta

The three-day festival will feature rides from Zeiler Amusements, games, food, beer garden, sound stage and more. On Saturday, June 11, a pancake breakfast will be held at 6:30 a.m., a 5K tractor trot and fun run will start at 8 a.m., the auto show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the arts, crafts and commerce The show will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 12.

pride party

Date: June 23

Location: Egyptian Theater, 135 N. Second St. at DeKalb

The Egyptian Theatre, Safe Passage, Sycamore Public Library, Queer-Oriented Rural Resource Network, Grace Place, Hometown Sports Bar & Grill, Youth Outlook, 94.9 WDKB and SOAS are hosting a free community event during Pride Month. The event will include a short Pride Parade, a screening of the film “Tangerine” and a post-film discussion. The film is intended for an informed public.

greek party

Dates: June 25 to 26

Location: Hopkins Park in DeKalb

The event will feature authentic Greek dishes, homemade Greek pastries, take-out food, Greek and American music, arts and crafts vendors, and the trailer for Little O’s Frozen Treats.

4th of July celebrations

Dates: July 1 to 4

Location: DeKalb, Kirkland and Sandwich

In addition to the fireworks, there will also be festivals held in conjunction with Independence Day.

DeKalb’s 4th of July fireworks and celebration will take place on July 4 at Hopkins Park. The celebration will include an Independence Day 5K and 10K, food vendors, relay races, games, boardwalk activities and entertainment, animal and reptile show, live music, concert the DeKalb Municipal Band and fireworks.

The Kirkland Lions Club July 4th Festival will take place July 1-4. The festival will include a carnival, 50/50 raffle, live concerts and music, bingo, sack tournament and more. A motor show will take place on Sunday July 3, and a parade and fireworks on Monday July 4.

Sandwich Park District Freedom Days will include a parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 2 and fireworks at the Sandwich Fairgrounds. The Freedom Run, which includes a fun 1-mile run and walk and a 5k run, will start at 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 3 at James Knights Park, 1001 Latham St.

Sip and savor

Date: July 9

Location: Sycamore Community Park

This inaugural event will feature craft spirits, unique foods and craft vendors of all types.

bacon party

Date: July 9

Location: Warehouse on Park in Genoa

There will be a variety of bands playing live music, several food truck vendors and Byers Brewing will be selling a special bacon beer. This event is for ages 16 and up only.

Waterman Summerfest and Vintage Tractor Show

Date: July 16

Location: Lions Park in Waterman

The event will include activities and entertainment for children, a craft show and flea market, food, carnival, tractor and truck power parade, pedal ride, beer garden, sack tournaments for kids and adults, live music, pork chop barbecue. , a raffle and fireworks.

Back to the park

Date: July 16

Location: Hopkins Park in DeKalb

Cost: Early bird rates before July 1 include disc golf, $16 for residents, $20 for non-residents; Craft Beer Festival only, $35 residents, $44 non-residents; combo pass, $48 residents, $60 non-residents; and non-drinker bracelet, $10 residents, $13 non-residents

The first craft beer and disc golf festival is organized in collaboration by the DeKalb Park District, Byers Brewing and the Phenix Disc Golf Club. The festival will include a new temporary disc golf course, a family disc golf section, a craft beer festival featuring beers from at least six different breweries, food trucks, local bands and more. The afternoon will end with headlining music and cash bar sales.

Fizz Ehrler Memorial Turn Back Time Car Show

Date: July 31

Location: Downtown Sycamore

The auto and motorcycle show will also include a 50/50 raffle. The event raises funds for local non-profit entities and organizations.

Cortland Summer Festival

Dates: August 5 to 6

Location: Cortland Park

Cost: $5 for adults 21 and over

The event, presented by the Cortland Fire Department, will include fireworks, live music, a bag tournament, free family activities and a car, motorcycle and appliance show.

Sycamore Steam Show and Threshing Bee

Dates: August 11 to 14

Location: Taylor Marshall Farm, 27707 Lukens Road

Cost: $7 adults, children under 12 enter free

Daily activities include a working sawmill and shingle mill, a working Flink fan testing power, filling silos, shelling corn, crushing wheat, plowing fields, display of steam engines and gas engines, gasoline tractors, antique cars and other vintage electrical equipment, the Prairie State Scale Railroad, a large flea market, live music and food vendors.

Cruise in Genoa

Date: August 20

Location: Genoa city center

The car, motorcycle and truck show will award more than 30 trophies and offer a 50/50 draw.

corn festival

Dates: August 26 to 28

Location: Downtown DeKalb

Cost: Free, admission to the Soundstage is $8 for a daily pass or $20 for a weekend pass before August 1 or $10 for a daily pass or $25 for a pass -stay weekend after August 1st

Corn Fest will feature three days of live music, around 100 vendors, carnival games and rides, and free corn. The Chuck Siebrasse Corn Boil, featuring corn on the cob steamed by a steam traction engine, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 27. Headlining this year’s soundstage will be Voices of Classic Rock, featuring formerly of Chicago’s Billy Champlin; John Payne, formerly of Asia; and Fran Cosmo, formerly of Boston. Voices of Classic Rock will perform from 9-10:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 27.

Rhythm and Blues of Sycamore Ribs

Date: August 27

Location: Downtown Sycamore

Customers can raise their glasses and sip craft beer from across the country. Ribs and side dishes will be served by multiple vendors and compete for the title of RR&B Fest Champion. This year’s musical headliner is Back Country Roads.

Sandwich Fair

Dates: September 7 to 11.

Location: Sandwich Fairgrounds

Cost: adult $10; 6 to 12 years old, $7; 5 and under, free

This year’s fair will feature food, a carnival, and animals and homemade items on display. On Wednesday, September 7, there will be harness racing and a showcase of equipment vendors; Thursday, September 8, a truck pulls; Friday, September 9, a concert with country music artist Trace Adkins; Saturday, September 10, tractor pulls; and on Sunday, September 11, a vintage car show and demolition derby.