Yorkville Hometown Days festival to launch

After missing a year due to the pandemic, Yorkville’s annual Hometown Days festival returns Thursday to Sunday, Sept. 2 to 5, to Beecher Community Park on Game Farm Road.

Everyone is invited to attend the family-oriented event that features a carnival, live entertainment, food, craft beer and much more.

Here’s a rundown on many of the events:

Ultimate Air Dogs Competition

Enjoy a show of courage and athletics from dogs as they jump off a dock chasing a Frisbee into a pool of water. Come as a spectator or compete with your dog. Competitor registration is online at the Ultimate Air Dogs website, ultimateairdogs.com, or on-site during the festival. All dogs are welcome, but they must know how to swim.

For information on the Ultimate Air Dogs Competition, visit Ultimate Air Dogs’ website or call the Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department at 630-553-4357. Competition times include the following: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday; noon to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Live entertainment

Thursday: Yorkville Big Band, 5 to 7 p.m.

Friday: Stars Go Dim, 6 to 7:15 p.m.; I Am They, 7:45 to 9:15 p.m.

Saturday: Kids DJ & Entertainment, noon to 3 p.m.; Boy Band Review, 4 to 6 p.m.; Trippin’ Billies, 7 to 10 p.m.

Sunday: American English, 2 to 4 p.m.; Run Forest Run, 5 to 7 p.m.; and Hi Infidelity, 8 to 10 p.m.

Carnival

Friday through Sunday: The DRS Skinners’ Amusements carnival is open on the following days: Friday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 8:30 p.m. For $20 a person, children of all ages can ride an unlimited number of rides from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Note: Wristbands are day-specific and only valid on the day of purchase. For information on DRS Skinners’ Amusements, visit the website.

Big Band and barbecue

Join the Senior Services Associates of Kendall County and the United City of Yorkville from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday for an evening filled with great food and entertainment. The event features carryout or dine-in 5-B’s barbecue pork and chicken dinners for $13 a dinner or $25 for two dinners from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and a live performance by the Yorkville Big Band from 5 to 7 p.m. All proceeds go to support programs and services provided by Senior Services Associates. To buy tickets or for information, call Senior Services Associates at 630-553-5777.

Baby contest

The baby contest is an annual tradition that brings in the youngest of crowds. This year’s contest is set for Friday, starting at 5:30 p.m., with registration beginning at 5:15 p.m. Participants may register for up to two categories and will be divided by gender and age (up to 9 months and 10 to 18 months).

Yorkville Junior Women’s Fall Craft Show

Come out to the fall craft show from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, hosted by the Yorkville Junior Women’s Club. The two-day event is held in conjunction with Hometown Days, and features more than 50 craft vendors. For information or to become a craft show vendor, call Teresa Wedeen at 630-605-1546 or email %20ktwedeen@aol.com.

Strut Your Mutt competition

Does your pet have the longest ears, best trick or the most beautiful eyes? Show why your pet is the best as they compete for the title in fun categories in this year’s Strut Your Mutt Competition brought to you by Pet Supplies Plus. Pets can be entered in two categories, and are designated at registration. Registration begins at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, with the competition starting at 11:15 a.m. All pets are welcome, but must have valid tags, and always be on a leash or caged.

All in the Family Bags Tournament

Join us for the second annual All in the Family Bags Tournament on Saturday. Registration will begin at noon, with the tournament starting at 1 p.m. The fee is $40 a team, and includes five carnival ride tickets, one adult drink ticket (21 and older) and two food tickets for festival vendors (limited menu). First- and second-place teams will receive a trophy and bragging rights as the Best Parent/Child Bags Team in Yorkville. Teams may be formed of father/son, mother/daughter, father/daughter, mother/son, older sibling/younger sibling, aunt/niece, for example. Any combination of adult and child will be accepted. Adults are considered anyone age 18 and older, and children must be 17 or younger. For questions, email Jake Galauner at jgalauner@yorkville.il.us.

Flight Craft Beer Tasting

Come on out for happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday as Flight Tasting Room & Bottle Shoppe and Heartland Beverage collaborate to provide a mouthwatering craft beer tasting. For $15 a person or $25 a couple, participants will taste a variety of six craft beers, receive a a souvenir glass and walk away with a 14-ounce glass of their favorite. Registration and payments are made in cash the day of the event at the Beer Tent. All participants must be 21 or older and able to supply a valid ID.

Car show

The show, set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, is hosted by a live DJ, and features classic cars in a variety of makes and models. Day-of registration will be accepted for $20 a vehicle starting at 9 a.m.