The young woman sitting on a Costco fold-up chair was anxiously trying to complete her task while the line of children continued to form. She was visually agitated, because there was no end in sight, and the reality of being late to her next gig was setting in. She had no helpers to tell the kids that her booth was closing, and the line was getting longer. At one point, she gave a girl a sign that read “this is the end of the line” but that didn’t help as it was passed to the next person. She had produced many rainbows, butterflies, dragons and princesses on that Daisy Day Saturday, and the children were happy. Skipping happily and showing off their new found persona, and their painted face made it seem like a real festival. Happy, yes, until the artist had to leave. Three of mine were at the cut off, and were not taking “no” for an answer.
Face painting is just one of the wonderful perks my family receives from the summer events. It’s a time where we can do a little “freeloading”. Free giveaways from local businesses are always fun to receive. Balloons, coffee mugs, games, pens and sometimes cold water bottles seem to be present but the free concerts are the best! On any given week, you can find the McCurry’s at one of the following “freebees”:
Daisy Days Friday, June 13 (6pm-10pm) Concert in Downtown Clarendon Hills featuring The Dabe Welch Band. Saturday, June 14th (10am-10pm) Arts and Craft Show, reptiles show and Daisy Days Idol is happening during the day. The concert at night will feature South of the Disorder, a tribute cover band with beach and Jimmy Buffett music. Food will be served by our local restaurants and a beer and the wine tent is always a welcome watering hole. I’m serving there Friday night – stop by!
The Dancin’ in the Streets concert series starts the following Wednesday, June 18th and continues every Wednesday, ending July 23. Food and beverages are available starting at 6:30pm and music begins at 7pm. It’s a family-friendly environment at which, the Village of Clarendon Hills shuts down traffic on Prospect Avenue between the tracks to Park Avenue, so attendees can stake a claim to part of the street. Children and adults are sure to loosen up around here; many get out of their lawn chairs and off their blankets to dance in front of stage. (Several times a night you will see my family “loosening up” too.)
On Thursdays, we’re off to Hinsdale to enjoy the Uniquely Thursdays concert series. This series runs until August 14, every Thursday night starting at 6pm. It’s held in Burlington Park, an open space where children have a lot of room to run and enjoy the music. There always seems to be a bunch of beach balls flying around to keep them busy.
On Friday nights, the McCurry’s often end up wandering down to Burr Ridge for their Concert on the Green series, which starts at 7:30pm and runs every Friday until August 29th. These concerts are held on the north part of the Village Center mall, utilizing a lovely semi-permanent band shell. Our kids always find the splash pad in the center, so if you go, bring an extra change of clothes, as they are sure to get wet! Their little faces displayed a Dragon, a princess and a rainbow – the artist simply could not say “no” to them.
Mike is a Clarendon Hills resident; husband; Indian Princes; Indian Guide Dad; a Coach; an “old” football player and a real estate broker. Mike’s columns are usually crafted about the buzz in and around Clarendon Hills. It sometimes has a spin on real estate or cultural information, highlight a new business or announce school happenings. He might include a “get-to-know” about some of our interesting Clarendon Hills residents and even a little about Clarendon Hills history. Whatever it is, it is sure to be about the “Talk of the Town”.
