Buckinghams, Too White Crew, 16 Candles set for Jeff Fest on Aug. 4-6
The Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce will hold the 17th annual “Jeff Fest” arts and music festival on the weekend of Aug. 4 to 6 at Jefferson Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long Ave.
Fest-goers are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on. While most neighborhood festivals are held on a street, JEFF FEST on the grounds of the area’s premier park, with plenty of grass, and it’s only a block from the Jefferson Park Transit Center, where Metra and Blue Line trains and CTA/PACE buses operate.
The hours of the festival are from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Covergurl will open the festival at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. Known for its high-powered party rock sound, the group plays songs from bands such as AC/DC, Cars, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Queen, Kiss, Joan Jett and Metallica. The headliner Too White Crew will perform at 8 p.m. with a six-piece band and the Fly Girl dancers, performing hip hop music from the 1980s and 1990s.
Music Dudes, a recent winner of popular battle of the bands contest, offers a fun, unique show that kicks off the Saturday, Aug. 5, line-up at 2 p.m., and Generation will perform at 3:30 p.m., playing classics from performers like the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Aretha Franklin, David Bowie and Sly and the Family Stone.
Also on Saturday, the Buckinghams will perform at 5:45 p.m. and 16 Candles at 7:30 p.m. The Buckinghams’ hits include “Kind of a Drag” and “Hey Baby, They’re Playin’ Our Song,” while 16 Candles, a very popular and entertaining 1980s tribute band, rocks the festival for a second consecutive year.
On Sunday, Aug. 6, School of Rock will open the festival at 2 p.m., followed at 3:15 p.m. by the local band Little Egypt, featuring State Rep. Robert Martwick on guitar and vocals. Also, Stache, which performs hits from the 1980s through today, starts at 4:45 p.m., and 97Nine, a cover band that tours the Midwest, takes the stage at 6:30 p.m.
Performers on the community stage on Saturday and Sunday will be the pop/rock band House of Gibby (5:45 p.m. SAT and 2:30 p.m. SUN), Academy of Polynesian Arts (3:45 p.m. SAT), rock band Batteries Not Included (7:30 p.m. SAT), Taft High School Orchesis (4 p.m. SUN), Chicago Ballet Center (2:30 p.m. SAT and 5:15 p.m. SUN), and the Clogging Craze (6:30 p.m. SUN).
In addition, guitarist and vocalist Stephen Gulyas will perform during the festival in the crowd. The festival also will include bouncy houses, pony and camel rides, games, face painters, a free stamps for kids display and other children’s activities, including a free coloring project from the Ed Paschke Art Center. Most children’s activities will be on Saturday and/or Sunday only (hours vary), and some fees may apply.
Volunteers from the following organizations will be working the beer tents: the Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association (Saturday night), Jefferson Park Forward (Saturday night), the Gladstone Park Neighborhood Association (Saturday night), the Northwest Chicago Historical Society (Friday night), Congregational Church of Jefferson Park (Friday night), Eden United Church of Christ (Saturday afternoon), Pope Francis Global Academy (Saturday afternoon), Knights of Columbus Tonti Council (Sunday afternoon), Rock The Badges (Sunday nigh), state Senator John Mulroe’s office and the chamber (Sunday afternoon). Beer tips will benefit the nonprofits listed above.
And don’t miss out on the wine tasting from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets for the wine tasting are available at eventbrite.com. Participants will receive a free souvenir glass.
On Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m., stop by the chamber/community tent and give your input on the Jefferson Park Master Plan that is being formulated. Project consultants will be happy to take your input.
Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under accompanied by an adult. Admission is free for seniors age 65 and older on Friday and $2 on Saturday and Sunday.
Proceeds benefit the chamber, which sponsors a high school scholarship program and community activities, including the Sunday Markets on the second and fourth Sundays of the month in the park.
Credit cards will be accepted at the entrance, beer tents and wine tasting tent.
And if your name is “Jeff,” please bring your photo ID and you’ll get in for free!!
