After the fun of the Hidden Gem Half-Marathon winds down Saturday, Sept. 10, don’t be fooled; the party is just getting started.
Flossmoor Fest will return to downtown Flossmoor, with a “soft open” at noon featuring Go DJ. The Homewood-Flossmoor High School Marching Band kicks off the main stage entertainment at 1 p.m., including a presentation of the national anthem.
“I feel like it has really enhanced our event to go seamlessly from one thing right into the next,” said Stephanie Wright, the village’s program and event coordinator.
The Jesse White Tumblers are to follow at 1:30 p.m., Rasberry Ca-beret at 2 p.m., Timeless Evolution at 3 p.m., King Melik at 4:30 p.m. and Shining Star — an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band — headlining at 6:30 p.m. The festival is to wrap up around 8:30 p.m.
Food will be available from favorites such as Dunning’s Gourmet Market and Deli and Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery. Pizza from Lou Malnati’s and drinks from Cork Gaming & Wine Bar are new to this year’s food offerings.
Children’s attractions will be featured along Central Drive and Leavitt Avenue. Three village commissions — Community Relations, Green and Public Art — also will be involved, according to Wright.
The Public Art Commission will be selling commemorative bricks, with money raised going directly to the village’s sculpture collection featuring owned and rotational pieces, Wright said. The Community Relations Commission can get people connected with the e-news list and will have more information about next year’s MLK Day of Service.
The Green Commission is going to continue the efforts it started with the 60422 (or Zip Code) Party toward zero-waste events by composting food waste and other goods, such as bamboo forks and paper boats. This time around, the village is working with The Urban Canopy to do the composting.
People also can bring reusable water containers and refill them near the Green Commission’s booth at the fest. Volunteers will be helping people sort trash into landfill, recycling and compost bins. Homewood Disposal is taking care of landfill and recycling materials.
All of this year’s festivities are to be held downtown, with the exception of the children’s activities stretching down Central Avenue.
“It’s pretty much what people know and love, except look for those green efforts to really be pushed forward,” Wright said.
The vendors list has long been filled, according to Wright, with some vendors already on a waiting list. More information about Flossmoor Fest can be found at flossmoor.org.