On an unusually warm autumn night, the smell of funnel cake and hot dogs fills the air. Kids are rushing through the crowds of people to get to the end of the line of their favorite rides. Teens are walking around with their friends, too cool to be seen with their parents but still young enough to enjoy the carnival rides.
The screams of children coming from the rides seem to be the only thing louder than the band that is playing on the main stage, providing background music for everyone. The lines for food are so long that they are merging into one, but no one seems to mind because laughter is heard all around. It seems as though everyone in town is at Deicke Park.
On Sept. 29- Oct. 1, Huntley’s 18th annual Fall Fest was held at Deicke Park. With live music, a beer garden, food vendors, and a full carnival, there was something for everyone to enjoy. The festival was organized by the Huntley Fall Fest Committee and hundreds of volunteers helped run the event.
This annual tradition is a great way to kick off the start of fall and a staple Huntley event that people look forward to all year.
“We come here almost every year,” Huntley resident Terry Baul said. “It’s a good time.”
The carnival, provided by Windy City Amusements, included rides like a Century Wheel,
Zipper, and Freak Out, but also some more mellow rides for younger kids. Many families make going to Fall Fest a transition because it is an event that people of all ages can enjoy.
“We’ve been coming for at least five years,” physical education teacher Jamie Meindl said. “We usually come as a family.”
Admission to Fall Fest was free, making it more enticing for members of the community to stop by the event. Food and tickets for the carnival rides were also sold. Wristbands for unlimited access to the carnival rides, ranging from $30-$35, were also offered on each day.
The festival featured food from about 10 local vendors. Some of these included Butcher on the Block, Tacos Locos, and Niko’s Red Mill Tavern. However, one of the most sought-after vendors was Manny’s Handcrafted Gelato and Cafe, which closed on Jan. 15.
“I was most excited about Manny’s coming back,” junior Leon Brancato said.
On the main stage, bands like Modern Day Romeos, Radio Gaga, and Hillbilly Rockstarz kept the crowd entertained. The bands all had their own unique sounds, but the audience was engaged and singing along to every song. Ranging from ‘80s throwbacks to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” the music brought everyone together.
“My favorite part has been the people-watching,” Baul said. “There’s a lot of people.”
At about 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, fireworks light up the night sky, providing even more entertainment to everyone at the fest. Some families set up their lawn chairs and blankets on the hill to get the best view, but most just looked up and enjoyed the sparkling colors up above. The perfect ending to a night at Huntley Fall Fest.
