DYER | The future of Hometown Celebration may be in doubt, but Dyer officials hope to keep the popular annual Summerfest going.
Bob Block, Summerfest’s representative, appeared before the Town Council at a recent study session to present a proposed amusement contract for 2013 and also to find out what the event’s fate might be.
There had been talk of whether the town can continue to support festivals, but council members agreed Summerfest is worth keeping.
The festival ended up $11,000 in the black this year, Block said.
The Summerfest Committee, which raises funds apart from the town to hold the festival, is donating $1,500 to the Park Board toward restoration of Pheasant Hills Park.
Summerfest is one of Tri-Town’s oldest festivals and is often held in Pheasant Hills, where fireworks can be launched from the lake.
The Hometown Celebration is held in the fall, in the Jewel-Osco parking lot at Calumet Avenue and U.S. 30.
Attendance “was light this year,” said council President Debbie Astor, and she advocates combining it with other events.
This year the townwide Garage Sale was held the same weekend as Summerfest, but that event’s organizers thought holding it in the Jewel parking lot impractical.
Next year, a portion of Central Park will be open, giving Hometown and other events new options.
Though direct costs for Hometown and Summerfest are supported by donations, the town incurs costs by providing law enforcement and public works support during the festivals.
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