Family Fest a Smash Hit

From the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce:

MINOOKA, IL — The Grundy County Chamber and the Channahon Minooka Chamber’s Feb. 11 Family Fest attracted some celebrities — kids of all ages got to hug, give high fives and take their pictures with big names such as McGruff the Crime Dog, Eddie Eagle and J.L. Bird of the Joliet Slammers.

The annual Family Fest was held at Minooka Junior High School and attracted about 1,000 visitors as well as more than 40 vendors as part of the consumer expo at the event, Christina Van Yperen, chamber executive director, said in a news release. The free event was presented this year by Exelon and the Grundy County Health Department, as well as sponsored in part by D’Arcy Motors and Heartland Bank of Minooka.

“This event has become a family-tradition for many. Between the entertainment for the children and the helpful product and service information provided by our local businesses and organizations at the expo, it’s a fun-filled and informative day for everyone,” Van Yperen said.

The Kids Zone sponsored by Little Learner Children’s Academy, Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers, LyondellBasell, First Midwest Bank and the Village of Minooka, again this year had Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles, a bounce house, as well as presentations by St. Ann Football of Channahon and Gina’s School of Dance in Channahon.

“My family and I moved to Grundy County last year and this was our first year attending the Family Fest. It was fantastic opportunity to meet and get to know local vendors,” Tony Ignoffo of Channahon said. “The event was definitely geared toward kids and my son had an awesome time. Everyone was so friendly. My family will definitely go to the next fest that the chamber is hosting, great job!”

The vendors in the consumer expo did an amazing job of having different activities to entertain the children while mothers, fathers, grandparents and guardians talked with them about their products and services, Van Yperen said. From balloon animals to frog fishing, families found something interesting at every booth.

For more information on the Grundy County and Channahon Minooka Chamber, visit grundychamber.com, email info@grundychamber.com or call 815-942-0113.

Family Fest 2017 sponsors and vendors:

• Associated Orthodontists Ltd.
• Best Value Carpet & Flooring Inc.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will Grundy
• Big Frog Custom T-Shirts
• Breaking Away
• Channahon General Rental
• Channahon Lanes
• Channahon Police Department
• Channahon Fire Protection
• Cloud Nine Communications
• Crossroads Counseling Services
• D’Arcy Motors
• Davidson Farms
• Easter Seals Joliet Region
• Exelon Generation
• Exxon
• First Community Financial Bank
• First Federal Savings Bank
• First Midwest Bank
• Forest Preserve District of Will County
• Great Water USA
• Grundy Count Health Department
• Grundy Workforce Services
• Hampton Inn of Minooka
• Heartland Bank
• Heritage Woods of Minooka
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Morris
• Illinois State Treasurer’s Office
• Joliet Herald-News
• Joliet Slammers Baseball
• Joliet Junior College Workforce Development
• Little Learners Children’s Academy
• LyondellBasell
• Mary Kay– Judi Tapella
• Minooka Fire Protection
• Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
• Morris YMCA

Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles returned to the Grundy County and Channahon Minooka Chamber’s Family Fest this year | image via Grundy County Chamber of Commerce