The festival, which has been going on for at least 30 years, is the largest event on Dyer’s calendar and takes months of planning. Last year around 15,000 people came, and organizers are expecting the same or more this year. “We do whatever it takes so that we can put together a great time,” Town Manager Frank Jachim said.
“We don’t want to skimp on anything.” Jachim said there is something for everyone, including carnival rides and games, a beer garden, food and craft vendors and live music. This is the second year Summer Fest is being held at Central Park.
Some people were disappointed to not have it at Pheasant Hills anymore but it is in a more central part of Dyer, according to Nancy Nelleman, who was working a booth for the Town of Dyer. At the fest there was plenty of seating and tables for families and friends to eat at. People sat at picnic tables and ate fair food as they listened to the first band, the Muddsharks, who played a variety of covers.
Setup for the fest started the Sunday before it started. Alpine Amusements supplies and run the rides. The state inspects each of the rides before the fest starts.
“A lot of energy goes into it but all the residents seem to enjoy it,” Jachim said. Throughout the day many families enjoyed the fest and made a day out of it. Grady Evanson, who just turned 5, went on his first ride on the dinosaur ride.
His mom, Stephanie Evanson, was going on rides with her kids. She said seeing her kids laugh and have fun was t.
