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Politics & Government

A Guide for Navigating the Backlot Bash

Skokie's annual street fair takes over downtown this weekend, offering loads of music, food and fun.

Backlot Bash is a weekend event that doesn't just take place in downtown Skokie—it takes it over.

“It's a great street fair,” said Scott Holtz, a member of the Independent Merchants of Downtown Skokie (IMODS) and the Chamber of Commerce.

The fifth annual bash will start Friday and run through Sunday and involves blocking off a two-block section of Oakton Street, between Lincoln and Laramie avenues. Most of the nearby parking lots will provide space for the various events, most are free and others have fees. 

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“There's an awful lot going on,” Randy Miles, IMODS president, said of the scheduled activities.

Musical performances, a beer garden, a bingo contest, a 5K run, a carnival and plenty of children's activities are planned. For those wanting to spend some money on other things, a sidewalk sale and a food court will be available. For the vintage and art enthusiasts, an arts and craft show, an antique and classic car show, and a farmers market will beckon them.

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The Backlot Bash will offer more than 15 hours of live music during the course of its run, with Tributosaurus returning as “The Who” on Friday night. Riddum Secure, who won the Skokie Park District's Battle of the Bands competition, will open for them.

“The musical lineup is just phenomenal,” said Miles.

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Saturday features Fastball as the headliner, along with Smoking Popes, Statutes of Liberty, Dr. K and the Volunteers, and Uptown A Capella. New this year is a stage in the beer tent, which will feature the Sanctified Grumblers on Saturday.

On Sunday, it's an all blues lineup, featuring Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials, The Matthew Skoller Band, The Congregation and South Boulevard. 

Along with the live music, there's plenty to see. On Saturday and Sunday, the Skokie Public Library will provide dance performances from groups including North Shore Dance and Drama, Ballet Russe, Isla Pacifika, Payaliya Dance Studio, Urban Beat Dance and Country Bernie.

The Skokie Theatre will show silent films with live piano accompaniment, which offers fairgoers a cool place to sit down for a while and to learn about Skokie's history as a backlot filming location during the silent movie era. 

For children, there will be a variety of rides at a carnival. Different wrist band deals are being offered, including day and weekend passes. The carnival will be open from 6-10 p.m. Friday, 12-10 p.m. Saturday and 12-8 p.m. Sunday.

The library will also offer fun activities for children, including drop-in crafts and games areas. There will be musical improv for teens at the library on Friday night, lead by Josh and the Empty Pockets.

If that's not enough attractions, there's a classic and antique car show and a craft show on Saturday and Sunday. The 5K Backlot Dash is scheduled for Saturday morning, along with a half-mile fun run for the kids.

On Sunday morning, The Rotary will hold a pancake breakfast and vendors will be at the Skokie Farmers Market selling items on the Village Green.

On Saturday and Sunday, there will be a business expo, featuring the business operators in Skokie. Part of the point of the Backlot Bash is for people to experience all that downtown Skokie has to offer, hoping they return later to support the local merchants.

“The fringe of the event is what I find exciting,” said Holtz, who hopes people notice the new restaurants and places that are part of the redevelopment of Skokie's downtown area.

According to Holtz, more than 35,000 people were drawn to the event last year.

Miles sums it up the annual bash with: “It's a good time had by all, and it's been successful.”

The Backlot Bash is a collaboration involving the IMODS, the Skokie Chamber of Commerce, the Skokie Park District and the Village of Skokie.

For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit Backlot Bash.

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