Saturday Special: Wilmette to celebrate 150th with block bash, while Northfield will cap Ribfest with fireworks

School has started and the maple leaves have started to turn, but summer is not over just yet.

Two special local events on Saturday, Sept. 10, will help residents embrace the late-season warmth and celebrate their communities.

THE Wilmette Block Party

A party 150 years in the marking, Wilmette will commemorate its founding with a free sesquicentennial bash dubbed THE Wilmette Block Party from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. in the village center.

The day begins around 11 a.m. with opening ceremonies that include a groundbreaking of Ouilmette Way, a multi-use path from 12th Street to Wilmette Avenue that will better connect the Wilmette Metra station through the village center.

From the groundbreaking, Wilmette leaders — guided by the Loyola Academy marching band — will march back to the Village Hall Green for comments from Village President Senta Plunkett, music from the Wilmette Community Band and a performance from the beloved Jessie White Tumblers.

A Kids Zone will be active from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and include local vendors, games, balloon artists, face painters, an inflatable slide and a dunk tank.

Music and performances includes:
• Main stage: Hoopla at 1:30 p.m.; Antler Chandelier at 3:30 p.m. and One Night Band at 5:30 p.m.
• Secondary stage: Youth Choral Theater of Chicago (11 a.m.); New Trier choir (11 a.m.), string quartet (3:50 p.m.), interactive dance workshop (5 p.m.) and dance teams (5:40 p.m.); Regina Dominican orchesis dance troupe and chorale (12:30 p.m.); Avoca West choirs (1:15 p.m.) and Suzuki strings (3:30 p.m.); and Marie Murphy orchestras (4:15 p.m.).

The stage action all leads up to headliner Tributosaurus, a cover band that transforms into a popular musical act for each show. On Saturday in Wilmette, they will become The Rolling Stones.

Throughout the day, entertainers — such as a juggler, stilt walker, local bands and dancers — will perform in the street.

Food, beer and wine will be available on site for purchase and businesses within the block’s perimeter will be open.

Northfield State Fair and Ribfest

Cue the barbecue.

Northfield’s annual late-summer party is ready to satisfy from 3-10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Clarkson Park.

The Northfield State Fair and Ribfest will include everything from children’s activities to fireworks — and, of course, ribs.

All are invited to participate in the Steve Soler Northfield Rib Contest. Registration is free and will take place from 3-5:30 p.m. at the event. Rib entries (minimum 10 ribs) must be submitted to the judging table by 6:30 p.m. Judges from Hoefher Meat Company will select the top three entries.

Live music begins at 3 p.m. with Time Out and continues with Vital Signs at 5:30 p.m. and Rollover at 8 p.m.

Fireworks begin at dusk.

Food and drinks are available from 3-10 p.m. and will be sold by Stormy’s Tavern and Grille, Kona Ice (shaved ice truck) and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Kids activities will be available from 4-7 p.m.

Guests can nab a spot and picnic tables as early as 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, on a first come/first serve basis. No vehicles are allowed inside the park without permission from the park district.

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