Story posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Ferraro family of Arlington Hts., Nicolette, 8, Gabrielle, 4, mom Kris, and Alexa, 6-1/2, coast down the fun slide during Saturday's Prospect Hts. Summerfest. (Shawn Clisham/The Journal)
Summerfest Fun
Scaled Back Festival Brings Out Prospect Hts. Crowd
By BOBBY CHILVER Journal & Topics Reporter
A few changes and a light drizzle in the evening couldn't slow down local residents last Saturday as the Prospect Hts. Summerfest was once again a success.
This year's event was trimmed down to just one day and moved back to Lions Park, behind the Gary Morava Center. Things went just as well, according to Park Dist. Executive Director Kathy Nowicki.
The highlight of the day came in the late afternoon as over 200 people ran in the first inaugural 5K-10K, mile run. Nowicki said there had been a run in the past years, but it was held in the morning hours, with not many onlookers in attendance.
This year the run was organized to remember resident Lou Johnson and organizers had it pushed back to the late afternoon.
"It brought more families together and more spectators," Nowicki said.
About $5,000 was raised from the run and the money will be used to upgrade Lions Park field in memory of Johnson, who was an "Iron Man" participant.
Nowicki said the board will meet later this week to go over options as to how Johnson will be remembered honored the field.
Other well-received events included the Lions Club pancake breakfast, preschool silent auction, park district dancers and usual carnival rides and games.
One benefit of having the Summerfest moved to the Morava center was the use of the pool. Residents were treated to free admission and games throughout the hot summer day.
"Everybody seemed to enjoy it," Nowicki said. "We had a full house at the pool."
In the evening, the "Postadelics" and "Fairlanes" played off the back of the park district building and even a few raindrops didn't send residents home.
Nowicki said the Fairlanes played through the light rain and even finished up with a few encores for the faithful fans.
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