JULY 9
CASK AND BARREL
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
PETERSEN PARK
This high-end event is for those with discriminating tastes in whiskey and beer.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Your $65 ticket includes tastings of high quality whiskey (Bourbon, Scotch, American Whiskey, Single Malts and Rye Whiskey) and other spirits, unlimited 3 oz. tastes of craft beer from local breweries, commemorative tasting glass, food samplings, a lanyard, and live music from Lucas Matthew and Justin Wallace
NOT DRINKING?
We also offer a Designated Driver ticket for $25 that includes a glass, food sampling and a variety of non-alcoholic beverages from our mocktail bar!
Must be 21 to attend event, even if purchasing a designated driver ticket
INSIDE THE GATE FUN
Fest Weekend extras our ticket to the park!
KOOZIE
Free to the first 1000 people in the park each night during Music Fest Friday & Saturday
YARD GAMES
Free family-friendly yard games like cornhole, giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, giant dartboard, and more inside the gate!
RC RACING CARS
Compete with your friends racing an RC car around the giant 28’L banked oval speedway. Each participant races using a full size steering wheel and shift column. Just like real racing, you get the spectacular crashes, the high-speed spinouts and the bumping and rubbing of real stock car racing
COURTESY SHUTTLE
We will have two courtesy shuttles inside of the park that can take people in need of assistance from one end of the park to the other.
2026 Fiesta Days Official Photographer & Videographer
MUSIC FEST FRIDAY
THE WAYOUTS
5:30 PM
Bringing the sound of 1960s garage rock to life with a high-energy, no-frills performance that feels like stepping straight into the golden age of rock ’ n ’ roll.
BON JOURNEYED
ELTON AND BILLY
7:30 PM 9:30 PM
The ultimate Bon Jovi and Journey tribute bringing together powerhouse vocals, iconic hits, and nonstop energy.
JULY 10
The music and spectacle of Elton John and Billy Joel in one unforgettable show! Featuring spot-on performances, iconic costumes, and a full backing band, this high-energy tribute delivers hit after hit!
MUSIC FEST SATURDAY
JULY 11
SHADY – A LIVE BAND TRIBUTE TO EMINEM
Lose yourself in the music. SHADY: A Live Band Tribute to the Music of Eminem delivers the raw energy, lyrical fire, and iconic beats of one of hip hop’s greatest. 9:30 PM
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
5:00 PM - 11:00 PM AT PETERSEN PARK
$10 G.A. TICKET $15-$30 SOUND GARDEN
ALABASTER
5:30 PM
Alabaster is McHenry County’s own original band, blending jazz improvisation, global grooves, and a rock ’ n ’ roll edge often described as Snarky Puppy meets Led Zeppelin.
WHATEVER, NEVERMIND 7:30 PM
This Nirvana tribute brings the raw sound and spirit of grunge to life with a highenergy tribute that feels straight out of the ’90s
BEACH BASH AND CAR
SHOW
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
The Car Show features muscle cars, street rods, old school hot rods, rat rods, custom, antique, vintage, domestic and imported cars and trucks of all kinds from all manufacturers Must register to show your car FREE to attend!
FREE FAMILY FUN
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Children will enjoy free treats and activities including inflatables, face painting, a dunk tank, games and prizes provided by local businesses. Home Depot will be providing their Kids Build-It workshop. FREE Admission Day!
OPEN BEACH
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Bring your suit and swim for FREE at Petersen Park Beach! *Please view our site to see what is not allowed in the park
BIG WHEELS RACE
Hosted by McHenry Parks and Recreation 3:00 PM @ PETERSON PARK BEACH HOUSE
Children (ages 3-5) ride their allplastic big wheels to compete for trophies $5/child (registration also accepted day of event).
For more info, click “Programs” on mchenryrec.recdesk.com and select special events
MUSIC FEST SUNDAY JULY 12
BANDS
5:30 PM - 9:30 PM AT PETERSEN PARK
Sunday’s show is part of Beach Bash Sunday, a free event No ticket is required to enter the park!
FIREWORKS
9:30 PM
THE NOW THE FAME MONSTER
5:30 PM 7:30 PM
The Now delivers a crowdpleasing mix of rock, country, and pop hits spanning five decades perfect for singing along and keeping the party going
After the last band on Sunday, we’ll light up the sky with an incredible fireworks display. There is no charge to park or at the gate, but there will be limited parking available, so come early!
The ultimate Lady Gaga tribute, combining powerhouse vocals, jawdropping costumes, and nonstop dance energy.
CARNIVAL
SPECIALFRIENDS SPECIALFRIENDS
CARNIVAL CARNIVAL
SATURDAY, JULY 11 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
JULY 10-12
WRISTBAND SPECIALS EVERY DAY!
Thrill rides, family rides, games and carnival fun provided by Skinners’ Amusements at Petersen Park
Music Fest ticket not required for admission to carnival
JULY 10 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
JULY 11 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM JULY 12 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
This is a FREE time for kids and adults with special needs who would not otherwise be able to enjoy the carnival when it is open to the public Immediate family members and caregivers are also welcome to attend.
Registration is required for the Special Friends Carnival. For more information, contact any of the participating organizations below or call the McHenry Area Chamber at 815-385-4300.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS:
AID (Association for Individual Development)
Alexander Leigh Center for Autism Clearbrook
Gigi’s Playhouse
McHenry District 15
McHenry Community High School District 156
NISRA (Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association)
Options and Advocacy for McHenry County Pioneer Center for Human Services
Rockin’ The Spectrum
PARADE MARSHAL
CONCERT IN THE PARK & PARADE MARSHAL CEREMONY
5:00 - 9:00 PM | VETERAN'S MEMORIAL PARK
Bring your own lawn chair and enjoy a concert in the park Food and beer vendors will be available starting at 5:00 pm A special recognition ceremony for our 2026 Parade Marshal and our Fiesta Days sponsors takes place at 7:00 pm. A concert by Brass On Fire to follow. *Have unused drink tickets from Music Fest Weekend? Use them here!
JULY 16
2026 PARADE MARSHAL DICK PAEGELOW
Dick Paegelow has been a dedicated part of Fiesta Days for more than 30 years, first becoming involved with the festival in 1995 after moving to McHenry from Gilberts, Illinois His passion for the event and commitment to the community led him to serve as Fiesta Days Chairman for more than a decade before retiring from the role in 2025
Throughout his years of service, Dick played an important role in helping Fiesta Days grow into one of McHenry’s signature community celebrations. In recognition of his contributions, he received the prestigious Joe Thome Award in 2004
Dick has also been a leader within the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Board of Directors from 1999 to 2004 He was named Board Member of the Year in 1999 and went on to serve as Chairman of the Board during the 2001–2002 and 2002–2003 terms.
The Fiesta Days Committee is proud to recognize Dick’s decades of volunteer leadership, dedication, and lasting impact on the McHenry community by naming him the 2026 Fiesta Days Parade Marshal
ART AND STREET FAIR
GET A FIRST LOOK AT THIS YEAR’S VENDORS
MAKER'S ZONE KID CRAFT STATIONS
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
VETERAN'S MEMORIAL PARK
Bring the kids to Pearl Street to create some arts and crafts of their own courtesy of A Child’s Place and Home Depot! (Located next to the inclusive playground )
ARTS AND CRAFTS IN THE PARK
9:00 PM - 4:00 PM
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
Browse nearly 150 booths featuring some of the Midwest’s finest artists and artisans at this juried outdoor art festival. Discover unique pottery, photography, paintings, woodworking, handmade jewelry, garden art, clothing, home décor, specialty foods, and much more
ART AND STREET FAIR JULY
18
YOUNG CREATORS SHOWCASE
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | MILLER POINT PARK
NEW THIS YEAR: Selected artwork from MCHS District 156 and District 15 students will be on display at Miller Point
DOWNTOWN FAMILY FUN
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM BUSINESSES IN THE MCHENRY MILE
SWITZER BOAT SHOWCASE & WING DEMONSTRATION
10:00 AM - 4:00 AM | MILLER POINT PARK
HOSTED BY MCHENRY RIVERWALK
FOUNDATION
Celebrate a piece of McHenry history as vintage Switzer boats return to the Fox River! Founded in McHenry, Switzer Boats became known around the world for innovation and speed on the water.
Come downtown during Art and Street Fair to enjoy local store sales and local business discounts Each business participating will also have FREE family friendly activities like face painters, cotton candy, games, make and take activities, and more.
Join Pete Switzer for special presentations at 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM as he shares stories, photos, and the history behind the legendary boat company. At 12:00 PM, don't miss a live demonstration of the famous Wing speedboat on the Fox River, running from the Route 120 Bridge to The Snuggery
DUCK DERBY
11:00 AM | BOONE CREEK AT GREEN ST.
HOSTED BY MCHENRY KIWANIS
Adopt a duck and watch it float down Boone Creek along the Downtown Riverwalk. Only 1000 ducks total. Prizes will be awarded to the 20 ducks who cross the finish line first
1:30 pm
Route: Main Street to Green Street to Pearl Street to Riverside Drive
In addition to local businesses, schools, and politicians, the parade will feature the Jesse White Tumblers. A special “candy bag” will be handed out to little ones on the route to collect their goodies from our parade participants!
FIESTA DAYS PARADE
