A petting zoo and an artist presentation have been added to Clarendon Hills’ Daisy Days festival, scheduled from 5 to 10 p.m. June 13 and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 14.
The Clarendon Hills Chamber of Commerce-sponsored popular annual event in the village’s downtown area also will feature carnival rides and games, a reptile show, beer and wine tent, a local talent showcase, young entrepreneurs market, food from area businesses and a headlining band performing each night.
A kiddie carnival and games will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. June 13 and from noon to 9 p.m. June 14.
Activities on June 14 begin with workouts at Village Hall, with barre3 presenting at 8 a.m. and Just Lift Fitness at 9 a.m.
The Daisy Shoppe young entrepreneurs market will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14.
The Hokusai artist presentation is at noon June 14.
That presentation is in partnership with College Of DuPage’s Hokusai Waves of DuPage project, said Shannon McDonald, director of the Chamber of Commerce.
“We will be unveiling the Clarendon Hills ukiyo-e style art, and the artist, Rich Lo, will be doing a presentation about the project and talking about the benefits of public art,” she said.
The June 13 live concert features Dirty Pop, a six-piece band made up of experienced performers from a wide variety of musical backgrounds. The band bills itself as having a colorful blend of music and personality, covering multiple eras of dance artists and top hits.
The June 14 headline act at 6 p.m. is The Other Guys, which includes rock hits from the 1970s to the 2000s in its shows.
The local student music showcase is being presented by the Clarendon Hills Music Academy at noon June 14 and will be followed at 2 p.m. with a performance by the Clarendon Hills Music Academy Allstars.
The petting zoo will be available from 1 to 3 p.m. June 14 at Burlington Plaza. Also, starting at 1 p.m. is Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles, which has been a popular attraction at past Daisy Day events.
Cammie Horan has lived in Clarendon Hills her entire life and currently is raising her three children, ages 9, 6, and 4, in the village. Daisy Days was a favorite event for her as a child and that remains the case now for her and her kids.
“I love it,” she said. “It’s a vibrant community event that brings everyone together. You get to see neighbors and let the kids run around.”
Sharon Peterson has lived in Clarendon Hills with her family since 1993 and has regularly attended Daisy Days, which first began in 1964.
“We raised six kids in town and always enjoyed going, and now, the grandkids love it,” she said. “I think it’s great because it’s gathering as a town to celebrate. It reminds me of ‘small town USA.’”
For McDonald, Daisy Days is particularly important.
“This is the event that made me want to move to Clarendon Hills (about 17 years ago),” she 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 began in 1964 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the incorporation of Clarendon Hills.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
