BY DANI TIETZ
dani@sjodaily.com
Broadlands, Ill. – It’s a tradition.
Dating back to 1954, when the Broadlands Community Club was formed, the Broadlands community has gathered in late summer to celebrate the community and raise money for local organizations.
“Local business owners and volunteers wanted to provide a day of family-friendly activities including food, games, and entertainment,” event organizer Megan Desmond said. “Their goal was to raise money to be able to give back to the community for sports teams, camps for kids, scholarships, and improvements to the community.”
By the 1980s, the festival moved from a park near the center of town to downtown along Lincoln and Diller streets.
That is where people will gather during the day-long event that is scheduled for Sept. 7, 2019.
“In 1989, the Broadlands Follies Show formed. Many talented community members sang, danced, and acted out skits directed by Jane Smith,” Desmond said. “Smith directed the Follies for many years and crowds gathered from many nearby communities.”
The Follies show retired a few years ago, but the Broadlands community still invites their friends and family from other communities to join them for live performances throughout the day.
The 2019 lineup includes The Hometown Band, under the direction of Nancy Hogan Reed, which will play familiar classics from 12 to 1 p.m. The Heritage Marching Band, led by director Justin Lee, will debut its competition performance at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Lincoln and Diller.
Homer native Joel Eagles will then take the mic from 5 to 7 p.m. as The Jr. Eagles perform. His performance will be followed by Nickel and Dimes from 8 to 11 p.m.
But the highlight of the day has always been an impressive midday parade at 11 a.m. followed by a delicious fish lunch, presented by volunteers of the Community Club.
Vendors, including food trucks, will be open throughout the day while kids can enjoy activities such as a bike and pet parade, bounce houses, watermelon eating contest, kiddie tractor races, and games.
Adults who participate in the annual softball tournament (registration now closed) will play to raise money for a scholarship in memory of Myron Luth, a former softball coach at Heritage High School.
Bingo at 6 p.m. is open to the public.
Desmond said this community highlight is only possible by the work of volunteers.
“In 2017, a lack of volunteers forced the Community Club to cancel the festival,” she said. “The following year, renewed interest in continuing the long-standing tradition brought forth both seasoned and new volunteers.”
Funds raised during the festival continue to provide scholarships for local students. Each year the group awards a Heritage High School senior with a scholarship.
After this year’s Homecoming, the Broadlands Community Club will move forward in planning the Halloween Parade and Chili Cook-Off.
Sept. 7, 2019
Schedule of Events:
6:00-10:00 am Breakfast Specials at Lincoln Street Lounge
9:00-10:30 Car Wash- HHS Cheerleaders
9:00-3:00 Myron Luth Memorial Softball Tournament @ HS
9:00 Kids’ Inflatables Open
9:30 Street Vendors Open
10:00 Pet & Kids’ Bike Parade (line up at the Broadlands Church @ 9:45, decorate 7:00pm on Friday at the Broadlands Church, or come already decorated!)
11:00 Parade- line up at HS at 10:30
11:30-1:00 Fish, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Sides, Drinks, & Dessert under tent on Lincoln Street
12:00-1:00 Live music by Hometown Band
12:30- 4:00 Kids’ games & activities, inflatables, dunk tank
1:00 Kids’ tractor races- awards given after
2:00 Live performance by HHS Marching Band
2:00-5:00 Cow Chip Bingo by HHS Performing Arts
3:00-4:00 Bingo under the entertainment tent
4:30 Watermelon Eating Contest sponsored by the United Methodist Women
5:00-9:00 Food Trucks
5:00- 7:00 Live music by The Junior Eagles
8:00 Raffle Winners Drawn in Beer Tent 1st: $250, 2nd: $100, 3rd: $50
8:00-11:00 Live music by Nickel & Dimes
*Food & Beverages available all day!
*Beer Tent is 21+ only after 9pm
