Downtown Elgin 2010 Summer Events Season Announced

The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin today unveiled its 2010 season of summer events entitled Summer in the City. The theme is intended to be a season-long celebration of the robust variety of events and activities Downtown Elgin has to offer during the summertime.

Summer in the City kicks off in earnest this coming May with the grand opening of the 2010 Downtown Elgin Harvest Market presented by Alexian Brothers Hospital Network. This ongoing Downtown event celebrating its tenth anniversary this season, has provided a weekly opportunity for Downtown residents and workers to enjoy a neighborhood atmosphere while shopping for primarily locally grown food and other items. Held at the Civic Center parking lot at the corner of E. Highland and Douglas Avenue, the Harvest Market runs for 20 consecutive weeks every Thursday from May 27 through October 7. Normal hours of operation are 10am-4pm. The first Thursday of each month the market is open from 10am-6pm. These first Thursday markets also will feature art exhibitors, wellness booths, chef demonstrations, and other special vendors and activities. Vendor applications are available on-line at http://www.downtownelgin.com/

Due to the July 4th holiday falling on a Sunday this year, the City’s Fourth of July Parade will be held on Saturday, July 3. The parade steps off at 9am at the corner of Slade and Douglas Avenue, continuing south on Douglas Avenue, and dispersing on Highland Avenue in Downtown Elgin. Co-sponsored by the City of Elgin, the theme of this year’s Fourth of July parade is Summer in the City. Over 16,000 spectators annually attend this summertime tradition. Last year's parade featured over 130 units, 30 floats and 2,500 participants. Parade applications will be available April 5 at http://www.downtownelgin.com/ or at the DNA office at 2 Douglas Ave in Downtown Elgin. The Parade Committee is actively seeking volunteers for this year’s parade in the areas of fundraising, entertainment, participant outreach, marketing, PR, promotions, and day-of hospitality. Please contact the DNA Office at (847) 488-1456 to learn more.

The 2010 Downtown Car & AFV (Alternative Fuel Vehicles) Show rounds out Downtown Elgin’s Summer in the City activities for 2010. Now in its fourth year, the Downtown Elgin Car & AFV Show is scheduled for September 11 from 9am-3pm at the Civic Center parking lot at the corner of E. Highland and Douglas Avenue. Last year, the show brought in over 135 vehicles and plenty of visitors and car enthusiasts. The Midwest AFV Expo, a “car-show-within-a-car-show”, debuted last year to much acclaim highlighting the new, alternative fuel technology. Visitors will see vehicles that run on electricity, hybrid technology, biodiesel, veggie oil, natural gas, e-85, propane, and pedal power. For more information, visit their website at http://www.elgincarshow.org/

The DNA is also proud to support and promote other organizations hosting events in the downtown this summer including the City of Elgin’s 32nd Annual Fox Trot, May 25; Elgin Wine Fest, May 29; Brew Fest, June 18-19; Art & Soul on the Fox, July 31-August 1; Boriqua Fest on August 14; and Fiesta Salsa which has yet to be scheduled.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) of Elgin is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of the Downtown area. The Association's purpose is to foster a center of activity and ensure economic stability for the heart of Elgin through organization, design, promotion, and economic revitalization. If you are interested in more information on how to be part of the Downtown Neighborhood Association or would like to volunteer, please contact the office at 847-488-1456 or visit www.downtownelgin.org