Humid Temps Welcome Sunset Festival Friday

Temperatures climbed near 90 degrees Friday, but volunteers and attendees at the weren't letting the heat get to them.

As the festivities kicked off at 3 p.m., plenty of people were already walking, biking and even skateboarding to to partake in rides and refreshments awaiting them at the 11th annual festival.

"Heat is never usually a problem," said Festival Co-Chairperson Denise Wasserman. "I know the volunteers are good about drinking lots of water, and hopefully the patrons will drink lots of water, too. Rain is more of  a deterrent than heat."

Wasserman said festival organizers have dealt with heat in the past. Many carnival workers said summer sun and hot days are all part of the job.

"I don't mind it," Windy City Amusement carnival worker Barbara Garren, of DeKalb said. Garren was working the bushel ball game, and appreciated the canopy that provided shade.

"I brought my own personal fan and Gatorade," she said.

The hot temps didn't dampen spirits of locals wanting to be first in line for carnival rides and food, either. Parents, armed with water and other refreshments, watched as their kids enjoyed the fun.

"I like the heat," said Nikki Scaravalle of LITH. "It doesn't bother me."

Judy and Cory Galloway, owners of Galloway's sub shop in Crystal Lake, also brought along a fan and kept out of the heat as they prepared their food tent for the crowds. Workers from the family-owned business began setting up at 9 a.m. Friday.

"Right now if you're in the sun, it's miserable," Judy Galloway said. "But in the shade it's not that bad with the fan."

Kristin Lange, a member of the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Jaycees, said the heat can be an advantage for vendors, particularly those selling beverages. The Jaycees run the beer tent for the festival.

"The warmer it is, the more beer we sell," Lange said. "All proceeds go back into the community. The money pays for the projects we support."

The Jaycees have also transformed giant water cooler bottles into tip jars. All tips will benefit the , Lange said.

The Summer Sunset Festival runs from Friday to Sunday. Highs are expected to reach the mid 80s today, with a chance of rain and thunderstorms in the morning and rain and storms likely in the afternoon.

Sunday's weather looks to be much more favorable with sunny skies and a high of 71 degrees expected. 

For a guide to this year's Sunset Festival, visit our and check back for update.