A new location, new foods and local bands will headline Villa Park’s Summerfest from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 21.

This will be third year of the Summerfest since it returned in 2006.

“People wanted to bring back a community event and to give back to the community,” said Mike Gats, who is in charge of the food vendors and the beer tent at Summerfest.

After holding it in Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park last year, the Summerfest Committee decided to move the fest to the Ardmore Business District along the Illinois Prairie Path at Ardmore and Park avenues.

“At the point when we needed to schedule it, (Villa Avenue) was scheduled to be under construction,” said Jean Taylor, chairwoman for Summerfest.

Taylor said the Ardmore Business District is a larger area for the fest. Even with the larger space, she said they are running out of room for participants of the arts and crafts show. About 20 sellers will bring anything from wood carvings to candles and birdhouses to sell from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Taylor said about the same amount of businesses will be in attendance promoting their businesses and handing out prizes.

The free attractions will include the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile OK, a pet show and a skate park. Combined with a $10 wristband that will be available for all-day access to games, a climbing wall and other attractions, Taylor said it will be difficult for children to be bored.

To avoid having the same food every year, Gats said he tries to get new businesses to join the fest and sell their food.

New to the food court this year are Garibaldi’s and Kuppies Bakery. Garibaldi’s will bring their fast food fare of hot dogs, Italian ice and potato chips, while Kuppies will bring their baked goods, including brownies, fried dough and cookies from their bakery at 42 S. Villa Ave.

One of the things that remained the same is the beer tent. Taylor said all tips will benefit the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce’s scholarship fund for Willowbrook High School.
As for entertainment, at least six different bands will be featured on the main stage during the 10 hours of Summerfest. Headlining the night is The Crown Vics, a 1950s rock ‘n’ roll six-piece band.

“We try to make everything local,” Taylor said. “The requirements for performing was that one person either lived or worked in Villa Park.”

They don’t come much more local than Dave Downer, The Crown Vics guitarist. He is a lifelong Villa Park resident and said he will have quite an audience cheering him Saturday, June 21 when he performs in his hometown.

“It’s even more special because my 6-year-old son invited every kid in his class,” Downer said.