The annual Vernon Hills Days opens to crowds on July 17

Fresh temperatures have opened the four consecutive dates of the Vernon Hills days in Vernon Hills in Century Park. The opening match on Thursday evening on June 17 offered a golden hour lighting before the evening fireworks.

Thousands of people were to attend the prolonged weekend. The event premises were secured with orange fences, and a main entrance was made up of Vernon Hills uniform staff. Many officers were seen to greet customers with smiles.

“This is an excellent opportunity for us to connect with the community,” said Jeff Hemesath, head of crime prevention for the Vernon Hills police.

“It’s very fun … And it’s (Vernon Hills Days) here forever,” said Hemesath.

Vernon Hills Days is a free event with a story of several decades, featuring music, culinary cabins, games and more.

Toni Pastorino de Vernon Hills took into account Toni Pastorino de Libertyville, and the Libertyville High School class in 1998, as well as the communications director of Vernon Hills Days (in a volunteer role).

Pastorino said that the employees had chosen to place the carnival trips (like last year) on the areas of the hard parking (to avoid the peel conditions soggy). But this year, the headliner stadium was transferred to the opposite end of the park, where carnival walks had been in previous years. People were seen dancing in the place in front of the stage of professional quality.

The island of Little Bear Lake was also opened for the first time so that people spread out with chairs and blankets to look at fireworks.

Vernon Hills Days, sponsored by the village of Vernon Hills, is organized with the help of a committee (nine members) and 50 to 100 volunteers.

“It’s a bit like a multigenerational thing for many of us who are part of the committee,” said Pastorino. “Our parents have done it, we do it now, our children help, sell ice, put pop in coolers and run, helping us create tables, things like that.

“It’s a family,” said Pastorino. “I cannot imagine not doing it, we all grew here, we all went to school here.

“It’s at home and it’s so fun to be able to offer an event like this for the community.”

For volunteers, Pastorino also said: “We cannot do it without you, we really cannot, so we are really grateful to all those who intervene to volunteer for us.”

The Brothers and sisters Cruz by Vernon Hills, Audrey, 6, a first year student and Melanie, 5, 5 years old. Daughter’s mother, Susie Luna, said the family had recently moved from Ravenswood, Chicago, Lake County.

“I love watching them have fun,” said the mother of children about Vernon Hills Days. “They love everything.”

Ashley Mooney from Mundelein brought children Luke, 3 years old, and Teagan, 6, a first -year student up, and hoped that Luke and Teagan, “have fun … They want to do the rides”.

Ashley Mooney grew up in Vernon Hills and is from the 2003 class by Vernon Hills High School.

“I came here when I was little,” said Mooney about Vernon Hills Days.

The county of Lake, like a place to raise a family, “has everything,” added Mooney.

Michael and Abbie O’Connor de Libertyville accompanied their children, Brandon, 5, a rising kindergarten, and Marshall, 2.

Abbie O’Connor appreciates the county of Lake because “they are the people, everyone is so sympathetic here.”

Michael O’Connor grew up in Libertyville and is from the Libertyville High School class in 2003. The couple met years ago during the Dog Days of Summer of Libertyville when they brought their respective dogs to the annual competition of the summer water swimming pool.

“Events like this, it’s just fun to go out and have a good time,” said Michael O’Connor, adding that the couple fell on “people we haven’t talked about for 20 years.”

Vernon Hills’ days last until Sunday July 20. See the calendar and offers at http://vhdays.com/.

Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.