14 | NIU Welcome Book | 2018 Back to School Edition
DEKALB KITE FEST
SUNDAY, SEPT. 9TH, 11 A.M. TO 4 P.M. This isn’t your backyard kite flying experience! The 12th annual DeKalb Kite Fest features some of the most amazing kites you’ll ever see. “Some kites are 90 feet in length, and it’s not every day that you see a kite like that go up in the air,” said Debbie Armstrong, co-chair of DeKalb Kite Fest. “We have fish, cats, panda bears, just a huge selection. There are dancing kites and flying kites… and even a candy drop. The kites are unique and come in all shapes and sizes.” Kite Fest is held on NIU “North 40” which is located off Lucinda Avenue and Kishwaukee Drive. Marvel at hundreds of kites and visit with some of Northern Illinois’ best kite-fliers and kite-builders. Several expert kite enthusiasts will be on hand to put on a show for the nearly 5,000 people who attend each year.
Rose Treml, executive director of the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce, described Pumpkin Festival as an “old-fashioned community festival.” “It’s a fabulous festival that draws people from all over the Midwest,” Treml said. “People come for the great food, good music and the pumpkins. It’s just a wonderful fall tradition.” Halloween fanatics will love Scary Stories in the Cemetery, which meets at Sycamore’s Ellwood Cemetery. This free event is recommended for teens and adults. Don’t forget to bring lawn chairs, a blanket and a flashlight. Runners, both novice and experienced, won’t want to miss the 10k Pumpkin Run. The 6.2 mile run goes through downtown Sycamore, then past Somonauk Streets historic mansions before heading along corn fields and finishing on the Sycamore golf course. Treml said about 2,000 runners are expected this year. “One of the best parts about the race is the music and free beer and refreshments at the end of it,” Treml said. “And it’s a fundraiser. All the money goes back to the community.”
You can even try flying your kite in the specially-designated public kiteflying area. You can bring your kite, make one there, or buy one from the Chicago Kite/Kite Harbor Shop.
Treml said NIU students are welcome, and even encouraged to visit Sycamore for the festival.
“All you see is smiles on everyone’s faces. People really have a great time,” Armstrong said. NIU students are a huge part of Kite Fest. Armstrong said about 100 to 150 students volunteer every year.
“A lot of students come for the food, and all the vendors are local nonprofits,” she explained. “Students will be amazed at the parade. A lot of the downtown bars and restaurants have specials going on during the festival, and several have bands playing that weekend.”
“It takes a lot of people to put on this event,” she said. “The students love it, they love working with kids. We couldn’t do this without them.”
For more information about the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, visit www. sycamorepumpkinfestival.com.
Admission is free, and food and drinks will be available for purchase. VIP Parking is available for $3 per car, but the festival is easily within walking distance from NIU’s residence halls. For more information, visit www. dekalbcountycvb.com.
SYCAMORE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL OCTOBER 24-28TH
One of Illinois’ premier fall festivals is right in NIU’s backyard! The 57th annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, which takes place in beautiful downtown Sycamore, features two carnivals (one for children and one for teens and adults), plenty of local fare, a 10k race and hundreds of pumpkins that are brilliantly decorated by local children. Pumpkin Fest boasts one of the largest parades in the state. The Pumpkin Parade kicks off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28th, and proceeds down historic Somonauk Street into downtown Sycamore. The parade showcases bands from all over Northern Illinois, as well as floats and entertainment from local businesses and community groups.