RAM Talks Art: Time for summer festival fun

By Carrie Breitbach, Customer Service Coordinator, Rockford Art Museum            

We all know it's that time of year again—the time when we get out into the sun and hit summer festivals to fill our fat little faces full of food and check out all the new artists and musicians entertaining us.

As my little heart started fluttering with anticipation at the thought of all the turkey legs and corn on the cob I was going to consume this summer, I decided to dedicate almost every weekend of my precious summer to finding new towns and cities in Illinois that might offer me something new in a festival.

I happen to be a huge fan of festivals, not just for good “people watching” and greasy food, but in the hopes that I might find a new local music group I like or the possibility of finding some really great artwork.

Let me just bend your ear for a minute and fill you in on the festivals I researched for this article.

First, I found a Web site ( FestivalNet.com) that informed me of every festival known to man going on this summer in the Midwest. Let me tell you, you will not be disappointed if you take a look online. It is a comforting feeling to know there is a fun-filled festival out there for everyone.

Sure, we'll all go to the big festivals that happen this summer, such as On the Waterfront here in Rockford, Summerfest in Milwaukee, Taste of Chicago, and the list goes on. But so few of us know about the smaller festivals that take place every weekend, all across Illinois.

You can only imagine how excited I was when I saw the eight-page list of festivals happening in places I hadn't even heard of. Now, my excitement grows. Not only do I get to eat, drink, people-watch and sweat, I also get to take day-long road trips to small towns and experience new things!

So, if this hasn't inspired you yet, let me divulge my schedule of festivals for you.

If you are a fan of Raggedy Ann and Andy (who isn't?), you are in luck. The Original Raggedy Ann and Andy Festival happens sooner than you thought; it runs mid-June in Arcola.

Next, my journey includes a visit to Evanston for Custer's Last Stand. Keep in mind the variety of costumes and hats you conjure up to spice up the festival even more.

After Evanston, I will drive to Elk Grove Village for the Little Boots Rodeo and Craft/Vendor Bazaar, happening the next day. As I bounce around that weekend, my comrade, Stacey, will be holding down the fort—and kilts—at the Highland Games & Scottish Festival in Oak Brook.

After I get a week or two of recuperation, I am heading south to Collinsville for the World's Largest Catsup Bottle Festival, Birthday Party & Car Show, which takes place in mid-July. I think this one is the most exciting for me.

After reviewing my schedule up until this point, I decide to be realistic and take my health into consideration. I intend on giving myself—and my insides—three weeks of down time.

After my gastronomic break, we are in the first week of August and back to the activities. First stop, Mundelein for the Saint Mary Pork and Corn Roast Craft Show. This festival has to be one of the most beautiful combinations of anything I can think of, pork and craft.

My late summer plans include the Lake Villa Civil War Reenactment in Lake Villa, and the 60th Greenwich Village Art Fair here at Rockford Art Museum. I think I exhausted myself, just thinking of the food and fun I'm going to have this summer.

If any of this sounds good to you, go online and create your own schedule of events. This could be the best summer of our lives.

Almost forgot to mention early fall festivals... The Sandwich Fair in—you guessed it—Sandwich, Ill. The Village of Carrier Mills features Catskin Days! And Jumpin' Pumpkin Jamboree in Belleville is bound to be a hit. And for the love of God, my favorite: the 30th Annual Turkey Testicle Festival in Byron!!!

See you all this summer—who would miss this?

Contact Rockford Art Museum Customer Service Coordinator Carrie Breitbach at cjohnson@rockfordartmuseum.org.

Full schedule

Festival Net— http://festivalnet.com

June

19th Original Raggedy Ann and Andy Festival— http://arcolachamber.com

21st Highland Games & Scottish Festival— http://chicago-scots.org

Custer's Last Stand— http://custerfair.com

Little Boots Rodeo and Craft/Vendor Fair— http://elkgroveparks.org

Summerfest— http://summerfest.com

28th Annual Taste of Chicago— http://tasteofchicago.us

July

Summerfest— http://summerfest.com

28th Annual Taste of Chicago— http://tasteofchicago.us

10th Annual Brooks World's Largest Catsup Bottle Festival-Birthday Party & Car Show— http://catsupbottlefestival.com

August

St. Mary of the Annunciation's 34th Annual Pork & Corn Roast and 2008 Craft Show— http://porkandcornroast.com

On the Waterfront 2008— http://onthewaterfront.com

September

121st Sandwich Fair— http://sandwichfair.com

Sixth Annual Lake Villa Civil War Reenactment and Living History Weekend— http://lake-villa.org

RAM's 60th Greenwich Village Art Fair— http://rockfordartmuseum.org/gvaf

October

Catskin Days— http://festivalnet.com

Jumpin' Pumpkin Jamboree 2008— http://festivalnet.com

30th Annual Turkey Testicle Festival— http://www.2camels.com/turkey-testicle-festival.php

 

 

from the June 25-July 1, 2008, issue

 

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