Flossmoor Fest 2018-09-08 303
Local News

Flossmoor Fest returns for day of music, entertainment

With Flossmoor Fest only a few weeks away, residents can look forward to a full day of music, games and entertainment on Sept. 7.

The fest has been a tradition for 20 years; the first took place in 1999, and it has continued almost every year since.

 
  Kids and adults enjoy a ride at
  Flossmoor Fest in September
  2018. (Chronicle file photo)
 

With Flossmoor Fest only a few weeks away, residents can look forward to a full day of music, games and entertainment on Sept. 7.
 

The fest has been a tradition for 20 years; the first took place in 1999, and it has continued almost every year since.

The Hidden Gem Half Marathon, a new event, will be finishing up just as the annual fest begins. 
 

Assistant Village Manager Allison Matson said the fest will have a soft opening at noon and an official kickoff at 1 p.m. to allow adequate time for transition after the race.
 
“We made schedule changes to accommodate both events, because the race bringing so many people into Flossmoor is worthwhile too,” she said.
 
The half marathon is expected to bring hundreds of runners and their families to Flossmoor and finish around 11 a.m. 
 
Restaurants including Flossmoor Station, Siam Thai, Bistro on Sterling and Dunning’s will be on hand all day selling food and beverages. 
 
Village staff will begin setting up for the fest on Friday, Sept. 6 after morning rush hour, and traffic will continue flowing north from Flossmoor Road through downtown.
However, at 5 p.m. Friday downtown will be blocked off to traffic so setup can be done before the half marathon.
 
Matson said free valet parking will be provided at Flossmoor Road and Sterling Avenue for those driving to get into downtown, and parking is available on nearby streets. People can walk through downtown as well.
 
“Just because the downtown is closed, don’t forget about our restaurants because they would really appreciate the support on Friday night before the fest,” she said.
One-man band M.G. Bailey will perform for the soft opening at noon. 
 
At 1 p.m. the fest will continue with the Homewood-Flossmoor High School Marching Band and Flossmoor resident Kalind Haynes singing the national anthem. Mayor Paul Braun will also address the crowd.
 
The Jesse White Tumblers take the stage at 1:30 p.m., followed by local teen band TiMELeSS at 2 p.m.
 
Oliv Blu, an H-F High School alum who made it to the top 12 on NBC’s The Voice, will perform with the Oliv Blu Band at 3:30 p.m. 
 
A video game truck will be on Flossmoor Road from 4 to 9 p.m., a popular attraction for older children.
 
At 4:30 p.m. Milton Payton will give Chicago-style stepping dance lessons, followed by a fashion show by Flossmoor boutique Love, Noa at 5:30 p.m.
 
Amusement rides will be from 2 to 6 p.m. on Central Drive toward Leavitt Park, including a kiddie train, bounce houses, a 90-foot Fun Slide and an inflatable bungee run, a new attraction which has two people run opposite directions and get pulled back by a bungee cord.
 
“I think the bungee run is the most exciting thing we have this year, and that’s brand new,” Matson said.
 
Then at 6 p.m. will be Staff Infection, a band including teachers from H-F High School, and the final musical act will be local R&B group Dynamic Sound Band at 8 p.m.
 

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