In its 52rd year of festival fun, Algonquin’s Founders’ Days weekend is set to kick off at 4 p.m. Thursday in Towne Park, 100 Jefferson St., and continue through Sunday.
On Friday, after 5 p.m. and Saturday after 1 p.m., the cost of entrance is $4 for adults and $2 for children. On Sunday, after noon the cost of entrance for adults is $2 and $1. There is no charge for admission on Thursday.
We have assembled a go-to guide that contains information about shuttle buses, the parade, fireworks and more.
— Expect numerous detours and delays while traveling through Algonquin over Founders' Days weekend.
— Expect a smaller parade this year.
Fireworks information — Spectators will not be allowed to remain on the bridge on Route 62. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. on Sunday at .
Shuttle Buses — Pickup points and drop-off locations.
— Hamburgers, pizza, corn, ice cream and more!
— A list of the dates and times the carnival is running.
— Featuring the area bands and the Illinois Battle of the Bands.
— For details please contact the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce 847-658-5300.
Patch.com coverage — Get caught up on all of our articles and see if you made it into any of our photos or videos from Founders' Days 2012.
For more information about Founders' Days, visit the Founders' Days website or Facebook page.
Our property taxes are high. We have a huge tax base out on Randall Rd. Why is it that we have one of the lamest summer festivals in the suburbs? Click on the link for 'Taste of Founders Food Vendors' and ask yourself how it could be that a town like ours with all these good restaurants of every variety of food, we end up with this? There is better variety at the mall. And the music. We continually have the worst selection of music for our festival. This is nothing personal against any of the musicians. There is just nobody playing that you couldn't find playing at a local club on a Weds. night, except for the Beatles cover band, who is constantly playing around our area. for years. Nothing fresh. Nothing impressive. Maybe that's what the committee wants, to keep the crowds down and keep the riff raff out.
As a mom, I am very happy to take my children to a family friendly festival. Very happy it's not a drunken brawl. If you don't like something, like the way the village is run, go to a Trustee Meeting and tell someone your grievences, they listen. If you don't like the festival, VOLUNTEER and do something about.
As a dad, i know that these summer festivals tend to have more kids during the day and early evening, and more adults, beer and live music late in the evening. At least almost every other festival around is typical of that... Jane, what other local festivals are you comparing this to when you say that you are happy it's not a 'drunken brawl'? You must watch a lot of t.v. and movies.
2. How is the carnival at FD any different/better than the one that is in the parking lot on Rt25 Carpentersville every other weekend? 3. Why don't the powers that be visit the good town festivals (like everyone is doing insgead of going to FD) and cherry pick the best ideas-duh! 4. Seriously? Come on, Man... 5. FD's fireworks show is the bomb; they deserve props for that.
You've raised some points that will give YOU something to do for the next year. Get involved, don't just bitch! I've been going to Founders Days for the last 50 years and watched the parade again today. I appreciate all the hard work that goes on to have this festival every year. If you don't like it don't go.
I know.... bitching is easier.
Your correct, you do have rights and staying away from Founders Day activities is one of your rights. Offer your help instead of you negative comments. I'm assuming you are an adult, but then again.... Just curious. If the past 10 years have been so bad why do you continue to go?
and as far as the parade goes, where was the fun yesterday? why cut the thing in half? the reason the village put out is questionable. all the fun groups are gone. Algonquin is now a 'no fun zone', even with all that new revenue from Randall Road.
I'll suggest to you the same thing I've suggested to another "bitcher". YOU can have a voice in the festival that has somehow managed to last for the last 52 years. Go to http://algonquinfoundersdays.com/ and sign up. I'm sure they would love to hear from you. And the parade.... questionable? You don't need to be too smart to see what the road closure (Edgewood) did to the traffic. Obviously you didn't try to drive West after the parade was over. I guess you didn't actually grow up in the area so I can understand how you would not know there are NO other ways to get around downtown Algonquin from the South except for Huntington. Route 31 couldn't take another hour of being closed. Do you think IDOT just might have had a say in that decision, it is a state highway under their control, remember?
It's not your 'average middle class suburb', either. It used to be. Algonquin is trying to be like Schaumburg. See, that's the thing. If you are going to open yourself up to being this commercial shopping destination and have hundreds of stores down your own suburban 'Magnificent Mile', the citizens in the area are entitled to expect more...lower property taxes, better schools, roads and perks like festivals. This is not about greed. It's about getting something back. And you say (to violins) "some towns don't have festivals for their citizens"... name one or two in the area that are as big as Algonquin that don't for us, please. Oh. and the thing about what side of town we're on? that was a direct reply to Vetman.
No one is keeping you here, if you dont like it, find a place that lives up to your standards. Im happy with Algonquin. Sitting on here making posts is not going to change anything.