FOX LAKE – The heart of the Chain O' Lakes will soon be overrun by the undead.
The eighth annual Venetian Night, themed "A Zombie Apocalypse on the Chain," will be from
6 p.m. to midnight Aug. 1 near 33 W. Grand Ave., Fox Lake. Parks and Recreation Coordinator Amy Serafin hopes
people will embrace the theme.
“The theme was thought of making sure that we’re fresh and exciting, and something that is new and different that hasn’t been done before,” Serafin said. “We’re excited about it.”
Event co-chairwoman Chris Valenziano said the theme also was inspired in part because of a partnership with Macabre Haunt’s Antioch Asylum. On top of food, drinks and dancing starting at 6 p.m., attendees also can have their faces painted like zombies.
Admission is free, though people wishing to participate in the boat parade will need to pay a $25 registration fee. The boat parade will start at 7:30 p.m. near Famous Freddie’s Roadhouse, 510 S. Park Ave., and end near Docker’s Restaurant, 33 W. Grand Ave. A cash prize of $500, $300 and $200 will be awarded to boats taking home first, second and third place awards, respectively.
Fireworks over Pistakee Lake will start about 9:30 p.m., with the festivities continuing after.
The village will offer free shuttle service to the event from Millennium Park, 6 Rollins Road; Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd.; the Community Center and Fox Lake Village Hall, 66 Thillen Drive. The shuttles will run every
15 minutes between 6 and 10:30 p.m. Parking at all
Metra parking lots will be free.
Serafin said the event is designed for the entire family, though she advised parents should watch their children during the later hours of the event.
For more information on Venetian Night, contact the Village of Fox Lake Parks and Recreation Department at 847-587-3944 or visit foxlake.org.