Summer Celebration recognizes 50th anniversary of Vernon Hills

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VERNON HILLS – Vernon Hills marked its 50th anniversary July 9. And the commemoration continues throughout the weekend at the village’s Summer Celebration.

Volunteer director Monica Lundeen said Summer Celebration is always the third weekend of July, and it worked out that it fell around Vernon Hills’ 50th anniversary this year.

For the 50th anniversary, Vernon Hills’ colors – red and gold – are prominently displayed around town. Banners also honor the milestone.

Summer Celebration, taking place in Century Park, lasts until Sunday, July 20, and typically attracts thousands.

Lundeen said about 30,000 to 40,000 people usually attended, and those who had attended weren’t always from Lake County.

She added that the village has had inquires about Summer Celebration from people in California, Texas and Indiana.

Every day Summer Celebration offers something new, with at least one band performing each night. A fireworks display will take place at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17. A a 5K run/walk dubbed “Run from the Cops” also will take place during the celebration at 8 a.m. on July 20.

But the entertainment doesn’t stop there.

The band Rico will perform at 7 p.m. on July 17; a Rolling Stones tribute band called Hot Rocks and a cover band called Mike & Joe will play Friday, July 18; the classic-rock band Arra and blues group The Fabulous Thunderbirds will perform Saturday, July 19; and the genre-blending group Cherry Poppin’ Daddies will play Sunday, July 20.

“We have a pretty good lineup,” Lundeen said.

All of the concerts are free of charge.

Summer Celebration Chairperson Ina Marquardt helped with the entertainment this year. In the past, Debbie Milarski was in charge of it, but she passed away recently from cancer.

“She’s very missed,” Marquardt said. “That was really hard for us.”

A bench in the park will be dedicated in Milarski’s memory.

Vernon Hills also lost police Officer Jesse Goldsmith who recently passed away.

Marquardt said the fireworks will be in honor of him.

And it has been about 20 years since the last Run from the Cops.

Race coordinator Jeff Cielak said the event was getting so large that it was getting difficult for the 18 officers on staff to coordinate it. Now, the Vernon Hills Police Department has the man power to put on a big event, Cielak said.

Racers will start at the Summer Celebration site in Century Park and head north until they reach Gregg’s Parkway. Then they will turn around and head back to the park.

Officers and community members are scheduled to participate. Last-minute racers are invited to register from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. on July 20. It costs $30 a participant to register in advance and $35 on race day.

All of the proceeds from the race will go toward the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which helps support families of U.S. service members who were killed or wounded overseas.

“We have a lot of officers here who have served in the military, and we have a strong connection to the military,” Cielak said.

In the past, the police department has participated in the Blue Line for the Front Line program, which collects items for care packages to send overseas and also hosted live teleconferencing for families and soldiers.

“It’s just another way to support the soldiers overseas,” Cielak said.

OUTBOX: Want to know more?

For more information about Summer Celebration and a complete list of events, visit www.vernonhills.org or call the special events hotline at 847-367-3725.