Fourth of July Planner

Friday, June 29 through Wednesday, July 4

Events at Barrington’s Brat Tent

Times will vary

Barrington’s Brat Tent returns to the North Commuter Lot of the Barrington Metra Train Station this Friday.

Along with food and live music, this year’s Brat Tent has plenty to entertain attendees of all ages. Face painting, baggo, rock climbing, eurobungee and bingo are only a small sampling of the various activities available throughout the week.

Live music also plays a key role for this year’s festivities, with several local bands performing each night. Some highlights include 28 Days at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Sixteen Candles at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press at 7 p.m. on Monday.

Special appearances will be made by Tommy Hawk, mascot for the Chicago Blackhawks, at 6 p.m. on Monday and the B96 Street Team at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

For a full list of the events at the Brat Tent this year, please visit www.barrington4thofjuly.com

Wednesday, July 4

Fourth of July Parade

10 a.m.

 The Fourth of July Parade will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The parade will begin at Barrington High School, and travel down Lake Cook Road, ending at Barrington Metra Station Parking Lot.

Immediately following the parade, the Barrington Community Band will perform at the Brat Tent from noon to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, July 4

Fireworks

Dusk

The annual fireworks display will take place the night of the fourth. Fireworks can be seen from Barrington High School’s front lawn.

Prior to the fireworks display, Stormcrow, a classic rock band, will perform on the BHS front lawn at 5:30 p.m.

This year’s fireworks have been threatened by the dry weather, as the falling sparks could provide for a dangerous situation. However, with aid from the fire department, village officials said the event will remain safe for the community.

Friday, July 6

“Uncork Barrington”

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The 8th annual “Uncork Barrington,” hosted by the Barrington Village Association, will take place in the North Lot of the Barrington Metra Station on Friday night.

Doug Skor, President of the BVA and Chairman of Uncork Barrington, said attendees can expect a first-class event.

“We take the outdoor pavilion and decorate it to the nines,” Skor said. “It takes 120 volunteers to run this event, and all who attend are really served in a first-class fashion.”

After creating the Farmers' Market in 2000 and watching the rampant success of the summertime tradition, Skor said the BVA wanted to continue bringing neighbors together with a larger annual event.

“Many times people will run into people they haven’t seen in years,” said Skor. “There is always this great sense of community at Uncork.”

The wines are selected by Barrington’s Wine Discount Center, providing a completely new list for every Uncork Barrington. Wines come from countries across the globe, as well as some local establishments.

This year’s Uncork will also feature an art fair, with about fifteen artists displaying work and doing caricatures at the event.

A majority of the proceeds from this year’s event will go towards helping out several local charities, such as the Barrington Area Council on Aging, the Barrington Breakfast Rotary and the District 220 Educational Foundation.

“We really encourage everyone to come out for it,” said Skor. “It’s a great event, and you’ll have a great time and be entertained.”

Price of admission is $45 per person, or $50 at the gate. All attendees must be 21 or older.

Saturday, July 7

“Barrington Brew Fest”

3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The final event to take place at the North Commuter lot is Saturday’s Brew Fest, hosted by the Barrington Area Council on Aging.

The 9th annual Brew Fest will feature more than 90 beers, coming from 44 different beer producers, all chosen by local beer connoisseurs. The products of nationally recognized breweries will be represented and served, as well as local brews from places such as McGonigal’s of Barrington and Emmett’s of Palatine.

Brew Fest first came as a suggestion from a BACOA volunteer with Wisconsin roots.

“It was brought to our attention that there’s not a whole lot of these ‘beer fests’ in Illinois,” said Joyce Palmquist, co-chair of the event. “Especially not in the northwest suburbs.”

Since beginning in 2004, Brew Fest’s popularity has grown exponentially, with an event cap at 1,500 attendees this year.

“The first year I think our net was maybe two or three thousand dollars,” said Palmquist, who is now hoping to bring in about $50,000 with this year’s event. “It’s really grown to be much more substantive.”

Proceeds from the event go towards BACOA’s programs that educate and service local seniors and their caregivers.

“We are the primary organization in the Barrington Area that addresses the needs that seniors have within our community,” said Palmquist, executive director of the non-for-profit. “We really have reached out and become engaged as we provide the various programs and services.”

Price of admission is $40 per person, or $45 at the gate. All attendees must be 21 or older.