Annual Heritage Fest Returns to Lemont Saturday

Lemont’s 21st annual will make it’s way into Lemont this weekend with a mix of old and new activities.

As has been the norm, the one-day street fair, which runs from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday in downtown Lemont, will feature music, food, the Salt Creek Model-A Ford Car Show, and pony rides.

New to the fest this year is the Artisans on the Canal indie craft and art market, the brainchild of Viviana Grasso, owner of . The market, which runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Talcott Square, will include handmade crafts, art, stilt walkers, face painters, a balloon artist and caricaturist, gourmet foods, wine tastings, artists and more.

“I thought it would be a good idea to piggyback [the market] with Heritage Fest because we have an audience to begin with,” Grasso said. “Heritage Fest is such a popular event. It’s good for the artists and a good opportunity to bring some culture into the town.”

Donna Pecina, marketing coordinator for the village of Lemont, said new kids activities will include a 33-foot tall slide, as well as a giant slip and slide.

“It’s always so hot so [the slip and slide] is a great way for the kids to cool off,” Pecina said. “But they have to be prepared to get wet.”

Like past years, Heritage Fest will kick off with the annual kids decorated bikes parade at 1 p.m. in , which Pecina said is one of Lemont’s biggest events.

“It brings out hundreds and hundreds of people,” she said, adding that this year will be no different.

“As long as the weather is nice the streets will be full,” she said.

For photos of the arts and crafts, see artisansonthecanal.blogspot.com.

The Main Stage schedule is as follows:

• 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Kids bands (Paradox, Heartbreakers, 5:23)
• 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. The Grand Avenue Swing Band
• 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Three Ball Charlie
• 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. Dirty Dan's Cool Rockin' Daddies