Downtown Madness Returns with new Elgin "Eat 16" Promotion

The Madness returns this March - only this time the “steaks” will be raised and the field will be even hungrier!

Downtown Madness, the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin’s award-winning restaurant and bar promotion tips off Wednesday, March 7. This epicurean and decidedly Elgin slant on the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament pits the signature dishes or drinks from 16 local establishments against one another in a month-long, social media driven, bracket tournament, where the voting public determines the winners of each match up, round-by-round until a champion is crowned on April 4.

This year’s encore edition will expand its scope to include all Elgin restaurants and bars - not just downtown Elgin ones - as we pit eight downtown eateries and pubs against eight of their crosstown rivals. We call this 2012 version of our "Big Dance" Downtown Madness: Downtown vs. Crosstown.
Bust the brackets by casting your votes and supporting your favorite teams...downtown OR crosstown!
Additionally, Downtown Madness participants can also punch their dance ticket and win big with our new complementary promotion: Elgin "Eat 16".

Starting in March, guests can pick up their "Eat 16" punch card ticket at the DNA, 2 Douglas Avenue, or at any of the 16 participating establishments. Visit each venue during the length of the promotion and receive special punches for trying each signature dish/drink. Collect all 16 required punches to score a Downtown Madness t-shirt and take your shot at some great prizes!

With Downtown Madness you can eat, drink, play and win!

Interested Elgin restaurants or bars should contact Jason Pawlowski at 847-488-1456 or e-mail jpawlowski@elginil.org. Participation deadline is Friday, March 2.

PK's Reopens Doors for Vintage Open House

On Friday, February 24 from 5-10PM and Saturday, February 25 from 10AM-5PM, PK's Antiques, 19 Douglas Avenue in the basement of Keeney's Sporting Goods, will reopen its doors to the public one more time for PK's Vintage Open House - an exclusive vintage shopping experience.

The public is invited to browse and shop the trove of antiques and vintage items in the store, as well as, some of Patricia Keeney's "personal treasures" including never-before-seen hats and purses. This will be your last chance to view and purchase merchandise before it goes up for auction (date to be announced). NOTE: The sporting goods in Keeney's will not be available for sale.

The organizers of PK's Vintage Open House are also seeking volunteers to work the event and help with set-up. For more information about volunteering, e-mail karin@kjhins.com.

Also while in downtown Elgin that weekend, vintage shoppers can check out the Cat's Pajamas Vintage Clothing & Jewelry Show at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, on Friday and Saturday during the same hours. Shop two full floors filled with 75 booths of the finest vintage fashion exhibitors anywhere!

Admission to the Cat's Pajamas show is $10 ($2 off Friday admission if you dress in vintage). Early buying is available beginning at 3PM for $60. Free parking, cocktail bar, vintage clothing contest and a live rockabilly on Friday evening.