Grundy Chamber releases more details on Family Fest June 26

Event features new activities and features as well as new date and location

MORRIS – Family Fest doesn’t only have a new date and location this year. It also has a whole lot of new activities and features.

In order to keep everyone safe per COVID-19 guidelines, the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce and Industry is holding Family Fest outside from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 26. The event will be behind Morris Elementary School at its soccer fields. While we will still have the business expo showcasing local services and products available right here in Grundy County, as well as mascots and Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles with showings at 10 and 11 a.m.

New this year, we have added a Touch-A-Truck event for children to get an up-close look at emergency vehicles, construction equipment and more. The Chamber also is excited to have someone making balloon animals and food trucks on-site, including BBQ & Baker, Lil’ Deb’s Mobile Eats and Laki Hawaiian Ice.

All of this family-friendly entertainment is free thanks to presenting sponsor Three Rivers Energy Center – Competitive Power Ventures.

The activities are brought to us by event sponsors Exelon’s Dresden Station, Heartland Bank and Morris National Bank. Kids Zone, which will feature the reptile, balloon animals and more, is sponsored by Financial Plus Credit Union, Joliet Junior College, First Midwest Bank, ONEOK and the village of Minooka.

Annually, this event brings about 50 businesses and organizations out for the showcase where they get face-to-face time with families, educating them on their products and services. People will get information on everything from the latest makeup trends to opening your first checking account. Families walk away with information and giveaways and the businesses leave with new clients and customers.

This outdoor event will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and sanitation stations will be located throughout the area to keep everyone as safe as possible.

So as you’re starting to plan for your summer activities, mark down the Chamber’s Family Fest on June 26 and join us for a fun-filled day. If your business or organization is interested in participating in this event, contact Events Director Christine Mendez at 815-942-0113 or at christine@grundychamber.com.

Nominate a Grundy County everyday hero

Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen community members who have hand-made masks through personal protective equipment shortages, retired nurses stepping up to help distribute vaccinations and neighbors simply helping neighbors. Exelon’s Dresden Generating Station would like to recognize those who stepped up during this pandemic even though they didn’t have to.

Did someone you know do something to make a difference during this difficult time? Maybe your neighbor sewed masks for front-line workers. Or maybe your church group set up a phone tree to call elderly residents and keep them company while they were stuck indoors. Maybe you and your family took your stimulus check and gave it to a small business in need during the shutdown. There are so many unsung heroes throughout this pandemic, so whether it’s you or someone you know that did something remarkable, tell us about it by filling out the nomination at grundychamber.com under the coronavirus information drop-down menu.

Good deeds deserve to be rewarded. With the help of the Chamber, Exelon wants to hear these stories, recognize those going above and beyond, and encourage these actions. Nominations will be accepted through April 30. From the nominations multiple winners will be chosen to receive a monetary reward donated by Exelon. Winners will be selected and notified starting mid-April and through May. For information, visit grundychamber.com.