From the city’s website:

An exciting line-up of top-notch entertainment is scheduled for FoxFireFest, taking place from August 1st -3rd at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Avenue, along the riverfront in downtown Elgin. FoxFireFest is the City of Elgin’s premier special event for the summer, incorporating the 49th annual AAUW Fine Arts Fest along with a wide variety of musical performers, food vendors and unique children’s activities throughout the weekend.

The festival will kick-off on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. with an opening performance by Elgin O.P.E.R.A., followed by the main-stage performance by the award-winning Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO) at 7:30 p.m. The evening will conclude with a brief pyrotechnic show along the river at approximately 9:30 p.m. Vendors on site will have a variety of food, beer and wine available for purchase. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy the free concert.

The festival continues on Saturday, August 2nd at 12:00 p.m. with live entertainment throughout the day. Mainstage evening performances begin at 4:00 p.m. with a special appearance by pop-artist Thomas Ian Nicholas, featuring songs from his debut album Without Warning. Starship hits the main stage at 6:00 p.m., performing a variety of hits from the 80’s, followed by the featured performance by the New York-based blues-rock quartet Blues Traveler from 8:00- 10:30 p.m. The evening will conclude with a brief pyrotechnic show on the riverfront.

Sunday morning activities will open with the Elgin Cycling Classic, a challenging new 1KM course throughout the Lords Park area. Races will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the final race will begin at 4:00 p.m. In addition to several pro races, there will be races for men, women and children throughout the day. Over $12,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. Registration forms available online at www.downtownelgin.org.

Festival Park will open at noon on Sunday, with another full day of art, music and food. Elevation will perform at 3:30 p.m. The festival performances will include the Elevation, a premier U-2 cover band taking the stage at 3:30 p.m., closing Sunday evening with Sister Hazel performing from 5:30 p.m. with a show of alternative rock, folk and southern rock music.

Food vendors include:

Chinese Wok, (840 Summit Street, Elgin) -Combo Fried Rice, Egg Roll, Beef Teriyaki and Crab Rangoon

Dairy Queen, (1022 S. McLean Blvd, Elgin) - Blizzards, Ice Cream Bars, Lemon Chill Cups, Chocolate Bananas

Maui Wowi, (2310 Fairfax Rd., Elgin)- Fresh Fruit Smoothies, Hawaiian Coffee Smoothie

Jethro’s, (9911 N. Clark, Richmond, IL)- Funnel Cakes, Curly Chips w/Cheese, Deep Fried Oreos & Twinkies

White Cottage Pizza, (220 S. Randall Rd., Elgin, IL)- Sausage Pizza, Cheese Pizza, Bread Sticks w/ Garlic Cheese

Casa Lara (previously Jalapeno’s), ( 7 Clock Tower Plaza, Elgin)- Tacos, Quesadillas, Flautas

JJ’s Chicken & Fish, (79 Clock Tower Plaza, Elgin)-Chicken Wings, Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwich

Gasthaus Zur Linde, (15 N Grove, Elgin)- Bratwurst, Thuringer, Corn on the Cob

Big Sammy’s Hot Dogs, ( 2490 Bushwood Drive, Elgin)- Hot Dogs, Bag of Chips

Elgin Public House (219 E. Chicago St., Elgin)- Hamburger/Cheesburger, Veggie Burger, Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Lucky’s Bar and Grill, (335 N. McLean Blvd., S. Elgin)-Nachos Grande, Italian Beef Sandwich, Italian Sausage Sandwich

Victors Grill, (6235 N. Keystone, Chicago) -Shish-k-bob, Gyros, Polish Sausage

Sloppy Joe’s, (210 Penny Ave, Unit D, Dundee, IL)- Sloppy Joe’s, Chocolate Chip Cookies

JC’s Barbecue, (116 Penny Ave., East Dundee, IL) – BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich, ½ Smoked BBQ Chicken, Pupusas

If you’re unfamiliar with FoxFireFest, check out Paula’s (Lovin Elgin) excellent review of last year’s event:

Last year I thought the highlight of the entire weekend was an unexpected performance by The Elgin Children’s Chorus with their ethereal, colorful, illuminated procession and angelic voices that sounded otherworldly as they made their way to the stage. At that point there was something happening all around. I was completely absorbed in the mood created by this highly talented group of young people…

As they made their way to the stage, a large float to their rear was exhibiting some kind of pantomime puppetry with a European flair. The children sang a beautiful, haunting melody in which I became utterly absorbed then “BOOM” the fireworks show began and my attention was moved again to a new sight.

Even without the Children’s Chorus, Friday night is an opportunity to see our world class Elgin Symphony Orchestra and the best fire works show I have ever seen in my life. The fireworks were so close you could almost touch them and the flaming fireballs exploding from the Fox River were exciting and hot. It reminded me of OZ, the Great and Powerful Wizard before they discovered the man behind the curtain.

From the city’s description it looks like fireworks–assuming “brief pyrotechnic show” means fireworks–are planned for both Friday and Saturday night.

Have a blast!

Filed under: downtown, events.
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