The field is set for the Rotary Rally, the second food truck, music and family fun festival that the Oak Park-River Forest benevolent organization has sponsored.
The community festival takes place this Saturday, Aug. 29, from 3 to 9 p.m. at Keystone Park, Central between Park and Thatcher avenues in River Forest. It is free (except for the food, beer and wine) and open to the public.
The depot parking lot will be filled with food truck delights — from tamales to barbeque to pizza, plus sweet treats like gelato. A tent for beer and wine will also be available.
This year’s musical talent will have a distinctly Oak Park flavor. Performing on a stage in the parking lot will be:
3 to 4 p.m., The School of Rock
4 to 4:30 p.m., Outloud Drummers and Dancers from the Steckman School of Music
4:30 to 5:30 p.m., The School of Rock returns
5:30 p.m., a program by the Oak Park-River Forest Rotary, including a salute to the flag, invocation and message from the group’s president, John Williams, director of Youth Services at Oak Park Township
6 to 7:30 p.m., The Replays, a longtime Chicago-area cover band playing R&B, blues, country and roots rock
7:30 to 9 p.m., Ring Shout and Friends, featuring Oak Park musician George Bailey on guitar and vocalist. The band specializes in jazz and reggae.
On either side of the main stage, two tents will offer information about the local Rotary chapter and the work it does locally and internationally. The group also will hold raffles for gift baskets, memberships and other prizes.
At the family stage, on the Keystone and Lake Street field, kid-friendly activities from 3 to 8:30 p.m. include:
3 p.m., Freeze dancing musical games. The interactive program will be presented by the West Cook YMCA
4 to 4:45 p.m., magician Gary Kantor
5 to 5:45 p.m., Outloud Drummers perform and teach youngsters how to drum.
6 to 6:45 p.m., juggler Dave Fleming
7 to 8 p.m., the ever-popular dodgeball tournament
Other kids’ activities include the bounce house, obstacle course, climbing wall, face- painting and bean bags. They can also learn how to make kites and sailboats and have their photos taken with Minions. Meanwhile, adults can get free blood and stroke screenings.
The proceeds benefit the people Rotary serves, said event chairperson Linda Sahagian, who also coordinated last year’s festivities.
Deb Kadin
