August "First Thursday" Harvest Market Schedule of Events

The Downtown Elgin Harvest Market - Presented by Alexian Brothers continues its landmark tenth season with our August "First Thursday" Market this Thursday, August 5 from 10am-6pm at the Civic Center Parking Lot at the intersection of Highland and Douglas Avenues near City Hall.

August 1-7 is National Farmers Market Week and we will be celebrating with special extended market hours from 10am-6pm and other activities and attractions including:

• In honor of Downtown Elgin Employee Appreciation Week August 2-6, all Downtown Employees who can verify their employment within Downtown Elgin’s boundaries (State Street to the west, Kimball Street to the north, Center Street/Villa Street to the east and National Street to the south) receive 10% off all Harvest Market purchases. Also all Harvest Market t-shirts and bags will be available to Downtown employees at half-price.

• Steve Thoren will have his Model T car on display in advance of the 100th Anniversary of the Elgin Historic Road Rally which takes place at Sherman West Court at 1950 Larkin Avenue on Sunday, August 8. The Elgin History Museum will also have artifacts from the Road Rally on display.

• The Elgin Express Train will pay a visit to the Harvest Market for all the kids to enjoy.

• Purdue University Golden Girl MerrieBeth Cox will perform a baton twirling exhibition at 11:30am.

• Chef Virginia Lopez will conduct a cooking demonstration of Healthy Grilled Pizza at Noon.

• Dixon Dance Academy soloists will perform a variety of dance styles at 12:30pm.

• Live music performances by Riverside Chorus at 2pm and Trillium at 3:30pm.

• Informational booths from DNA, Alexian Brothers, Elgin Community Network, ECCO, The Centre of Elgin and Salon Couture.

Nestled in the heart of historic Downtown Elgin within minutes of the Grand Victoria Casino, Metra and the scenic Fox River, and within walking distance from Downtown’s dining and shopping district, the Harvest Market attracts hundreds of local residents and workers each and every week.

For more information about the 2010 Downtown Elgin Harvest Market, please call Jason Pawlowski, Promotions Coordinator for the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin, at (847) 488-1456 or e-mail: jpawlowski@elginil.org