Special Events Could Return To Northern Illinois This Summer

Special Events in DeKalb County, Northern Illinois, including Chicago, may start returning to normal this summer.

According to several Chicago media sources, a Chicago City Council committee authorized a full calendar of special events for the summer of 2021. The same article suggests that a mayoral aide hopes the city’s $1.8 billion in new federal relief funds will help pay for certain events like Taste of Chicago, blues and gospel fests, as well as the Air and Water Show. It was announced last week that Chicago baseball parks could have 20% attendances (maybe more by late summer).

In an interview with Craine’s Chicago Business, Illinois Deputy Governor Dan Hynes suggested that the Chicago Auto Show could make a return in July, if the city of Chicago signed off on it. With more rollouts of the vaccine and restaurants and nightlife reopening, Chicago Mayor Lightfoot believes this summer could resemble pre-pandemic times.

For other areas, there is still a wait-and-see attitude. The Staff of Suburban Family Magazine is working on the May/June “Summer Planner” issue of the magazine. “While we typically would have a pretty robust FAIRS & FESTIVALS section, it looks like many (event planners and communities) are holding off on their plans again this year”, commented Sue Wolf, Marketing Director for Suburban Family Magazine. “We are hopeful more events and festivals will happen.”

In DeKalb County, some special events are hoping to return for summer and fall. Memorial Day programs at the DeKalb Memorial Clock and Ellwood Mansion will happen in 2021. The DeKalb Community Concert Band will return for a full season starting in mid-June. The ‘Music at the Mansion’ summer concert series will return to the Ellwood Mansion starting in late June.

In July, the DeKalb Park District plans to have fireworks on the 4th of July in some form. The large ‘Turning Back Time Car Show’ in Sycamore will return once permits are approved. The July Kishwaukee Fest Parade for 2021 has been canceled due to road construction in the downtown area, according to Parade Coordinator Michael Embrey.

The Annual DeKalb Corn Fest, Sandwich Fair, and Sycamore Pumpkin Fest are hoping to happen in full if things open up.

NOTE: All special event planners, festivals, fairs, and concerts are waiting for CDC or State Health Department Guidelines. Ticketing, seating, and the total of attendees will be announced for each event. Other events, festivals, and fairs are still waiting to announce activities.