Each summer Elmwood Park pulls out all the stops to entertain, feed and wow community and guests. The first event that revs up the season is the annual car show on June 13. With vintage, muscle, motorcycles, exotics and more, it’s a sight to behold on Conti Parkway Circle, just north of Grand Avenue and 76th Street.
“We have a lot of variety of different vehicles,” said Jim Sabatine, Elmwood Park lead mechanic and car show organizer. “And it keeps getting bigger and bigger every year.”
Anyone can showcase a vehicle with a $10 registration prior to the event. Cars are on display from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
“We’ve added a few things for the kids now, bikes, skateboards. Now we’ve kind of brought the kids more involved,” Sabatine said. “We got good food, good cars, good people, good atmosphere and the backdrop of the community.”
At 7 p.m. the excitement amps up with a concert by Libido Funk Circus. Billing themselves as the ringleaders of a funky good time, the band combines a flare for showmanship, genuine musical talent into a high-energy party. Their song selections please kids, grandparents and everyone in between.
The fun doesn’t stop that weekend.
“If you’re looking for a good time this summer, Elmwood Park is the place to be,” said Village President Skip Saviano. “From festivals, to movies, to al fresco dining, there’s never a dull moment, especially in our Village Circle which has great bars, restaurants and events all season long.”
The concert series continues on June 19 with 7th Heaven rocking out hits of the 1970s and 1980s. Famous for their medley of 30 songs in 30 minutes, a concert by this band never slows down.
July 10 features 90s Pop Nation. The name says it all. From Britney to Blink, Spice Girls to TLC, this band gets it done – without backing tracks. It’s all out there live and in person.
July 24 Hello Weekend rocks the Circle. Their goal is to get you dancing and keep you in the groove. Their sets range from Guns n’ Roses to The Beach Boys, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga.
On Aug. 2, the summer comes full circle with the annual D.A.R.E. car show. Got a car you want to show off? Register and bring it to the Circle. The entry fee is $10. Funds raised go to supporting the Elmwood Park police’s participation in Drug Abuse Resistance Education. This outreach program, started in 1983, has reached K-12 students nationwide and around the world. Taught by law enforcement officers, the goal is to build self-esteem and good decision-making skills to help kids lead safe and healthy lives.
That same night American English hits all the right nostalgia notes playing songs of The Beatles. They start the show with Ed Sullivan era hits, then they trip into the psychedelic years of Sgt. Pepper and the Magical Mystery Tour. They end at Abbey Road, where they Let It Be. The band takes pride that all the music is played live.
A warm summer night, tunes to set the mood, good food and good company awaits in Elmwood Park.
Find out more: Elmwoodpark.org.
