By Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com
With summer coming closer and closer to the end, Bolingbrook still has one more shot to enjoy the warm weather.
The 2018 Bolingbrook Jubilee Fest will be held August 17 through August 19.
The three-day weekend event that has been a yearly get-together for townies and tourists to rejoice before fall weather starts.
“This event is based in August but its still weather driven,” said Roger Claar, Mayor of Bolingbrook. “We’ve had well over a thousand people come when the weather is nice and permitting, so we’re hoping the weather cooperates.”
On Friday, the event will kick-off at 6 p.m. with food and beer, Jaycees Carnival, Jaycees Bingo and will be followed by the bands Heart to Heartbreaker, and the 16 Candles.
“The carnival will be running at the front of the building, and then in the back is where we will have the entertainment and booths,” Claar said.
Even though this fest has turned into a large success to Claar, he knows that the grunt work and build up to this fest has been a long time coming.
“We’ve been doing this before I was mayor all the way back in the [1970’s],” Claar said. “In those days we used property anyway we could find it, but now we have the theatre.”
Transitioning to Saturday, the highly anticipated Summer Cruze Car Show will begin the festivities going from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. followed by the DJ Music Tent and the same activities as Friday provided.
The entertainment Saturday will include Neighbor John, The Band Sundance, Semple Band, The Chicago Experience and Jefferson Starship.
And all that is free.
“What’s nice about the Jubilee fest is that we don’t charge to get in like most places,” Claar said.
Claar said the Jubilee Fest tries to reach out to everybody to provide fun and entertainment that is suitable for all families.
“We try and show that the entertainment and atmosphere we provide will be fun for everybody,” Claar said. “We have so many different bands and a variety of different music so we can appeal to all ages and all tastes.”
Wrapping up the annual Jubilee Fest on Sunday will dispense the most entertainment and activities.
A craft show, petting zoo and other family fun events will happen from noon through 6 p.m. setting up for the entertainment all night.
The King will come back to life as Nick Miller will be impersonating Elvis from 12 until 1:30 p.m., The Gold Coast Orchestra will be on from 2 until 3:30 p.m., Neverly Brothers will follow from 4 until 5:30 p.m., The Temptations 6 until 7:30 p.m. and the show will end with Ides of March from 8 until 10 p.m.
“We have about 20 volunteers that are commissioners who have spent hundreds of hours to put this event all together,” Claar said. “We really feel like everyone can enjoy this and we can all have a great time.”
The Jubilee Fest will be located at the Bolingbrook Town Center at 375 W. Briarcliff Road with additional parking at Brooks Middle School on 350 W. Blair Lane.