Downtown Elgin Harvest Market Continues Thursday, June 10 from 10am-4pm

The Downtown Elgin Harvest Market continues its landmark tenth season this coming Thursday, June 10, from 10am-4pm. The Harvest Market runs every Thursday thru October 7 at the Civic Parking Lot at the corner of Highland and Douglas Avenue near City Hall.

While offering a wide variety of fresh, locally grown and produced vegetables, fruits, plants, bread, meats, cheeses, jams and spices, the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market really is much more than just a Farmers’ Market!

On the first Thursday of each new month, the Harvest Market rolls out its special promotional market entitled “First Thursday”. During “First Thursday” the market extends business hours by two hours from 10am-6pm and features cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, art exhibits, health and wellness seminars, guided walking tours of Downtown Elgin and much more.

Our June “First Thursday” market this past week was an overwhelming success. Special thanks to David Hudson and his band of "wandering minstrels" for entertaining the crowd, to David Powers for coordinating the "D.I.Y. Pollock" public art project, to Heidi Hollay for coming out and selling her beautiful handmade jewelry, to Amy Knorek from The Centre of Elgin, to the day's participating sponsors Alexian Brothers Health, Chiro One Wellness and Salon Couture, and to our newest vendor JR's Pop-Arazzi and proprietor Rose Soifer for her amazing hot and fresh doughnuts!

Our next “First Thursday” market takes place on Thursday, July 1. Among the confirmed attractions for July include:

• Mad Discs & Dyes will conduct a demonstration of T-shirt tie-dying with all natural dyes.
• The continuation of the “D.I.Y. Pollock” Public Art Project which encourages patrons of the market to add their own unique artistic painting touches to a canvas.
• The Centre of Elgin will conduct live fitness/healthy living seminars.

Other details about the July “First Thursday” market are forthcoming.

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

2010 Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshals Announced

The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin is proud to announce that the Shabbona District, Three Fires Council of the Boy Scouts of America will be the Grand Marshals of the City of Elgin’s 2010 Fourth of July Parade - Presented by Sherman Health, which steps off at 10:00 am at the corner of Slade and Douglas Avenue on Saturday, July 3 due to the Fourth of July holiday falling on a Sunday this year.

Roland Behling, an Eagle Scout with 75 years of participation and leadership service to Scouting, and Dick Barth, with 55 years of leadership service to the program, will both serve as honorary Grand Marshals riding in a convertible representing the Boy Scouts and their promotion of life-long skills and positive role modeling.

In 2010, the Boy Scouts of America celebrates its 100th anniversary of providing programs for young people to build character, train them in responsible citizenship, and develop their personal fitness.

In Elgin, the Boy Scouts of America are represented by Shabbona District, Three Fires Council. Shabbona serves some 2,900 youth across 55 units, relying on more than 800 dedicated adult volunteers to advance its mission.

The theme of this year’s Fourth of July Parade is “Summer in the City!” – a celebration of the City of Elgin’s rich history, exciting present, and prosperous future. In addition to the regular parade float judging, a special "175th Anniversary Award" will be given to the float that best tells the story of Elgin’s rich history and a special "Eco-Elgin Award" will be given to the float that best tells the story of a "Green" Elgin - utilizing eco-friendly materials and processes for their parade entry.

Over 16,000 spectators annually attend this summertime tradition. Last year's parade featured over 130 units, 30 floats and 2,500 participants and took over 75 volunteers to coordinate. As such the Parade Committee is also actively seeking volunteers for this year’s parade. The time commitment is approximately 7am to 1pm, depending on what duty you are assigned. Volunteers are treated to a free breakfast at orientation before the parade and a free t-shirt.

For more information on the Fourth of July Parade, please contact Jason Pawlowski, DNA Promotions Coordinator, at (847) 488-1456 or e-mail jpawlowski@elginil.org

Downtown Live Music & Entertainment Scene - June 2-6

Welcome back to your work week! Have you shaken off the rust from the long holiday weekend yet? Well, as usual, the Downtown Live Music and Entertainment Scene has got you covered. Here is a rundown of some of the great live music you and your crew can enjoy this week:

Mad Maggies
51 S. Grove
847-531-5883
http://www.madmaggies.net/

Wednesday, June 2
Serianna - 5:30pm

Saturday, June 5

Richardson Richardson with Sleeping Under 47 and Danger Boy - 5:30pm

Sparkplug Assasins with Circle of Fate - 10:00pm

Elgin Public House/Pub 217
219 E. Chicago Street
847-468-8810
http://www.elginpublichouse.com/

Friday, June 4
Hyperplasia

Saturday, June 5
Astrobirds


The Roadhouse/Main Event
200 Prairie Street
847-695-4454
http://www.roadhouseelgin.com/

Friday, June 4
Smokin' Gunz

Saturday, June 5
Down/Pour


Don't forget to check out "Tribute to Chopin" at Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division Street, 8th Floor on Sunday, June 6 at 3pm featuring Aleksander Kurkowski, renowned concert pianist from Warsaw, Poland. Tickets are $15. Purchase at the door. For reservations call 847.697.7139.

Remember that bands, ticket prices and performance times are subject to change so we ask that you please call or visit each venue's website for ticket information, performance times or for any applicable cover charges.

First "First Thursday" of Downtown Elgin Harvest Market Season

Today the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin unveiled the first of its five special promotional markets for the 2010 Downtown Elgin Harvest Market season.

On June 3, the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market will extend their hours of operation by two hours from 10am-6pm for its first "First Thursday" of the season. Among the special promotions that will be featured at the June “First Thursday” Market include:

• Free Harvest Market bags to the first 50 people to visit the DNA booth.
• Fused-glass jewelry by artist Heidi Hollay
• Informational booths by ECCO, Elgin Community Network, Alexian Brothers Hospital Network, and Chiro One.
• An all-day bike corral where bicyclists can ride their bikes to the market and park in a designated bike area.
• “D.I.Y. Pollack” Public Art Project: The public is invited to create abstract art on a 6’ x 12’ canvas with traditional and non-traditional painting tools. Paints are water soluble, however painters are encouraged to wear clothes they don’t mind getting paint on just in case.
• Face painting by Gene Diaz, JusFaceIt from 11am-1pm
• Live music by Dave Hudson and Friends
• Cooking demonstration – TBD
• “Rediscover Downtown Elgin” Walking Tour from 6-7pm led by the Downtown Neighborhood Association. Please RSVP for this tour at downtownelgin@gmail.com or call (847) 488-1456.

The dates for the remaining special “First Thursday” markets are July 1, August 5, September 2 and October 7. Details on the remaining “First Thursday” markets will be announced soon.

The Downtown Elgin Harvest Market continues its landmark tenth season, running every Thursday thru October 7, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Civic Parking Lot at the corner of Highland and Douglas Avenue near City Hall. While offering a wide variety of fresh, locally grown and produced vegetables, fruits, plants, bread, meats, cheeses, jams and spices, the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market really is much more than just a Farmers’ Market.

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.