"Elginpalooza" aka FoxFireFest

 

Mayor Ed Schock and council members Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers and Steffen opened up FoxFireFest and introduced the Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO). Maestro Hanson adapted to the urban environment of Festival Park by selecting western themed music and adding a harmonica which blended perfectly with the occasional whisles and rumbling of the nearby trains. The performance included the theme from the TV show The Wild Wild West and the William Tell Overture. I was heading back to my seat during the overture and had the urge to gallop, but resisted. 

Spotted in the crowd was former ESO Executive Director, Michael Pastreich and new U46 Superintendent, Dr. Jose Torres. OK, I'll stop now, I don't want to scoop Betty Brown.

It was a beautiful evening to share with friends and create a Ravina feel. Next year, candelabras. With 12 food vendors plus beer, wine and Mojitos a good time was had by all. Those arriving early were entertained by the talented performers of Elgin OPERA.

This photo can't do the post concert fireworks justice, but gives you the sense of how up close and personal they were. Head over to the Lovin Elgin blog for video and more commentary.

It's not too late to enjoy it yourself. Saturday features Starship and Blues Traveler with more fireworks and Sister Hazel will perform on Sunday. There is much more, just click here for the details FoxFireFest. Don't forget FoxFireFest is FREE!

FoxFireFest - August 1 - 3, 2008

Watch the video here!

FoxFireFest, as the name implies, is an event focused around the glow of fire on the water, including a mystical night-time fire and light show on the river, accompanied by unique theatre, art, dance and musical performers.
August 1 - 3, 2008
FREE - More info here>
Friday 5 pm to 10 pm
Saturday 12 pm to 11 pm
Sunday 12 pm to 9 pm

Festival Park
136 South Grove Ave
Downtown Elgin

Free parking
or ride your bike and use the free bike corral.  

Entertainment
Friday
6:00 pm Elgin O.P.E.R.A.
7:30 pm Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO)
9:30 pm Fireworks

Saturday
12 - 4 pm Childrens Activities
4 - 8 pm Teen Activities
6:00 pm Starship
8:00 pm Blues Traveler
10:30 pm Fireworks

Sunday
12 - 4 pm Childrens Activities
3:30 pm Elevation
5:30 pm Sister Hazel

AAUW Art Showcase
Saturday 12 - 6 pm
Sunday 12 - 5 pm

Elgin Cycling Classic
Sunday, 8 am - 5 pm in the Lords Park neighborhood

Food Vendors
Chinese Wok, (840 Summit Street, Elgin) -Combo Fried Rice, Egg Roll, Beef Teriyaki and Crab Rangoon
Dairy Queen, (1022 S. McLean Blvd, Elgin) - Blizzards, Ice Cream Bars, Lemon Chill Cups, Chocolate Bananas
Maui Wowi, (2310 Fairfax Rd., Elgin)- Fresh Fruit Smoothies, Hawaiian Coffee Smoothie
Jethro's, (9911 N. Clark, Richmond, IL)- Funnel Cakes, Curly Chips w/Cheese, Deep Fried Oreos & Twinkies
White Cottage Pizza, (220 S. Randall Rd., Elgin, IL)- Sausage Pizza, Cheese Pizza, Bread Sticks w/ Garlic Cheese
Casa Lara (previously Jalapeno's), ( 7 Clock Tower Plaza, Elgin)- Tacos, Quesadillas, Flautas
JJ's Chicken & Fish, (79 Clock Tower Plaza, Elgin)-Chicken Wings, Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwich
Gasthaus Zur Linde, (15 N Grove, Elgin)- Bratwurst, Thuringer, Corn on the Cob
Big Sammy's Hot Dogs, ( 2490 Bushwood Drive, Elgin)- Hot Dogs, Bag of Chips
Elgin Public House (219 E. Chicago St., Elgin)- Hamburger/Cheesburger, Veggie Burger, Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Lucky's Bar and Grill, (335 N. McLean Blvd., S. Elgin)-Nachos Grande, Italian Beef Sandwich, Italian Sausage Sandwich
Victors Grill, (6235 N. Keystone, Chicago) -Shish-k-bob, Gyros, Polish Sausage
Sloppy Joe's, (210 Penny Ave, Unit D, Dundee, IL)- Sloppy Joe's, Chocolate Chip Cookies
JC's Barbecue, (116 Penny Ave., East Dundee, IL) - BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich, ½ Smoked BBQ Chicken, Pupusas

FoxFireFest incorporates the best elements of the previous Fine Arts Fest, but has expanded to showcase the wide variety of cultural amenities and performing arts groups centered in the Elgin area, with two stages offering non-stop entertainment. The food and beverage area will also feature an eclectic mix for all ages, including a beer garden.

Fox River in Elgin

Bike path under the Highland Ave. bridge.
View from the south side of the Highland bridge.
Walton Island
The flag sculpture at the north end of Walton Island.


A low quality video of the power of the water coming over the Kimball Street Dam. I didn't think a still shot would do this justice so I used the video mode.

Funding Flows to Fox River Renaissance Alliance Project

The Elgin city council has preliminarily approved $26,000 for a Fox River Renaissance Alliance project. The library board will decide in March whether to fund the remaining $26,000 for the engineering plans. Possible projects include: a fountain in the Fox River north of Kimball Street, a floating wetland that would attract fish and other creatures, and educational gardens. Visitors will be able to watch the fish that swarm to the area using cameras that will transmit signals to the Gail Borden Library. Hitchcock Design Group is expected to complete the plans by April. Funding for construction is expected to come from grants and donations. The project will provide environmental and educational benefits and once again demonstrates that the library is more than just a place to check out books.

Read the article from today's Daily Herald here.

Fox River Renaissance Alliance Presentation

Several firms are making presentations to the Fox River Renaissance Alliance on Wednesday, November 1st at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Avenue, Elgin, Il. The meeting starts at 1 p.m. and is open to the public.

The schedule is as follows:
1:00 pm - WRD Environmental
1:45 pm - Applied Ecological Services
2:30 pm - LRMG (Land Resource Management Group)
3:15 PM - Hitchcock Design

For more information please contact Denise Raleigh at 847-429-5981.

Link to information on the Fox River Renaissance Alliance. (This is a large file, be patient)

No Green River in Elgin

West Dundee's plans to dye the Fox River green for the St. Patrick's Day Parade was shutdown by Elgin officals. The only green we need in the river is the money that flows out of the Grand Victoria and the environmental "green" to keep our source of drinking water clean.

New Riverfront Project

Riverwalk to be extended north of Kimball. It doesn't include an underpass below the Kimball Street bridge. The city awarded the more than $900,000 contract to Elgin-based Martam Construction. The project is expected to last three to five months and begin this spring.