Shannon McDonald, the Clarendon Hills Chamber of Commerce’s event manager, has a soft spot for Daisy Days, the annual two-day festival in the village’s downtown.
“This is the event that made me want to move to Clarendon Hills about 15 years ago,” McDonald said. “It was just that wonderful small town feel, with kids and their parents enjoying themselves. It’s a great place for families and for people to run into their neighbors.”
Daisy Days, which began in 1964 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the incorporation of Clarendon Hills, returns June 16-17.
The event returned a year ago after a two-year absence because of the coronavirus pandemic, and Assistant Village Manager Zach Creer, who takes over July 1 as village manager, is among those looking forward to the 2023 version of Daisy Days.
“As a parent of young kids, I can appreciate how community events like these create lifelong memories,” he said. “I know many people that have attended now for generations, and the event is now 59 years running.”
Running from 5 to 10 p.m. June 16 and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 17, Daisy Days features carnival rides and games, reptile shows, a children’s music show, beer and wine tent, food for sale from area businesses, local talent showcase and a live music band each night. The June 16 headlining band is Fossil Fuel for a 7 p.m. performance, and Michael Rawls and the Missing Notes hits the stage at 6 p.m. June 17.
Fossil Fuel bills itself as “a classic and alternative rock band, playing anything from the 70s to the early 2000s.” Michael Rawls and the Missing Notes usually focuses its performances on playing a mixture of classic rock, Americana, country and blues.
Food, drinks and carnival rides will be available starting at 6 p.m. June 16.
The June 17 schedule, prior to the 6 p.m. performance of Michael Rawls and the Missing Notes is:
10 a.m.: Dave DiNaso’s World or Traveling Reptiles
11 a.m.: Clogger’s Craze folk dance performance
Noon: Istvan & His Imaginary Band, Parents Choice award-winning artist
1 p.m.: Nick Scarpinato Trio
3 p.m.: Dave DiNaso’s World or Traveling Reptiles
4:30 p.m.: Miss Jamie’s Farm Family Music Show
“We added more children’s performances this year,” McDonald said, referring to Istvan & His Imaginary Band and Miss Jamie’s Farm Family Music Show. “Daisy Days is very much a children’s event, so we want to feature more things that appeal to children, especially during the day, but also are parent friendly.”
Creer said he has noticed the extra effort the Chamber of Commerce has been putting into all events, since the village funded an event planner/director position last summer.
“I am looking forward to see what they have in store for this year,” he said. “Talking with all our new businesses downtown, I know they are all getting ready for the kickoff of event season, and the extra traffic these events bring to the downtown and surrounding area.”
Downtown street closures for Daisy Days begin at 9 a.m. June 16.
Along with Daisy Days, the traditional Father’s Day Daisy Dash is scheduled for June 18, with a 5K race starting at 8 a.m. and a kids 1K race beginning at 9 a.m. on Prospect Avenue in downtown Clarendon Hills.
The course records are 15 minutes 30 seconds by Colin Yandel in 2019 for the men and 18:22 by Kate DeProsperis in 2016 for the women.
The 2022 winners were Charles Harders, 22, of Western Springs (15:52.6) and Jeannie Sullivan, 41, of Clarendon Hills (18:54.4).
Registration information is available at www.daisydash.com.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
