February 18, 2025
Local News

Lake in the Hills' Summer Sunset Festival ready for 18th year

By DREW ZIMMERMAN

Kelly (from left), Johnnie, 2, and John Bradley of Crystal Lake wait to receive a balloon animal from Gary Kantor during the 16th annual Summer Sunset Festival on Sept. 2, 2017, at Sunset Park in Lake in the Hills. This year's event will feature a dance competition, the Fireworks 5K, a performance from Theatre 121, a bags tournament, family bingo night, car show, craft fair, wine tasting and other musical performances. (Shaw Media)

Lake in the Hills’ Summer Sunset Festival will be closing out the summer season for the 18th year starting Friday but with a few changes to the festivities.

Festival chairman Ray Bogdanowski said one of the new events is a dance competition, which replaces the “Got Talent?” competition held in previous years.

Another new addition is the Fireworks 5K, a 5K run and walk at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, right before the festival’s annual fireworks display.

Bogdanowski said one of the things he is excited about is a performance from Theatre 121, the newly merged resident company of the Woodstock Opera House. In October, the group will be producing “Mamma Mia!” and will perform a few numbers at Sunset Fest.

Theatre 121 also will have a booth at the craft fair to publicize the full show, which will run from Oct. 4 to 20.

Other activities include a bags tournament, family bingo night, car show, craft fair, wine tasting and musical performances throughout the weekend.

Last year, more than 7 inches of rain fell within a 72-hour period, causing significant turf damage from vehicles and equipment leaving Sunset Park.

The village ended up awarding an $82,270 contract to Woodstock-based Landscapes by Gary Weiss Inc. to repair the damage. As an unbudgeted expense, the village sought reimbursement from its insurer, Illinois Risk Management Agency, for the full amount of the project, minus the village’s $10,000 deductible.

Bogdanowski said most of the damage last year was caused by the carnival equipment, but this year, the carnival will be set up on pavement. No cars will be parked on the repaired turf either.

The National Weather Service predicts a 40% chance of showers Saturday in the Chicago area.

Admission is free. Carnival wristbands good for four-hour unlimited rides are available for $25 each. Individual tickets are $1 each or $40 for a sheet of 44 tickets.

For information on the festival and a full schedule of events and activities, visit www.summersunsetfest.com.