The village of South Elgin culminates a season of celebrations, not forgetting its 125th birthday, with Saturday’s End of Summer Music Fling at Panton Mill Park.
“We’ve seen so many people singing, dancing and just tapping their feet while listening to a variety of music all summer,” Parks and Recreation Director Kim Wascher said. “I hope that continues as we finish our warm weather events at the park.”
This is the Fling’s second year, and the village expects to draw about 2,000 people to the one-day event, Wascher said.
“Last year, we had afternoon showers, which literally reduced our attendance. But the afternoon concert leading up to the fireworks show brought a sizeable crowd,” said Craig Pierce , communications major from South Elgin.
Panton Mill Park along the west bank of the Fox River opened in 2020, and village officials wanted people to check it out as the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, launching a summer meeting series called “The South Elgin Experience.”
The town also changed its annual river festival, a multi-day event that grew out of the town’s 100th anniversary celebration in 1997, in favor of smaller events that will culminate with music and family festivities of the Saturday.
“For the Fling, we kept it the same weekend as Riverfest, which was the third weekend in August,” Wascher said.
With a budget of $30,700, the free event starts at noon with a variety of children’s attractions, including bouncy houses, giant yard games and face painting.
The Fox Valley Special Recreation Association created its Soothe Space, an area designed for people with disabilities and their families and friends to take a break and recharge between attending the large group gatherings that make up the Fling , Wascher said. (For more information, see www.fvsra.org/soothespace.)
“This is really big,” he said.
Cesaroni BBQ, Dairy Queen, Inches Tacos, The Pasta Box, RK’s, Village Tavern and Wise Guys will be on hand to sell food and drinks. No outside coolers will be allowed.
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The music lineup includes classic pop and rock cover band Dynamix, country rockers-funksters Will Thompson Band, tribute act The Boy Band Night and Chicago-area festival favorites Modern Day Romeos.
Things wrap up with a fireworks display that starts around 9:30 p.m
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the smiles in the audience,” Wascher said.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
