Music Fest Weekend
Friday – Sunday, July 12-14, 2024
Bands
July 12 – 14, 2024, Petersen Park
Live music from amazing local acts. Bands and showtimes will be announced, as well as ticket sales in May 2024.
Beach Bash
Sunday July 14, 2024, Children’s Activities 12 pm – 4 pm & Bands 5 pm – 9:30 pm – Petersen Park
Beach Bash Presented by Mercyhealth
Family Friendly Activities provided by McHenry Area Chamber businesses.
Perfect for families! In addition to the bands later in the afternoon, children can enjoy activities and entertainment including inflatables, face painting, dunk tank, games and prizes. Home Depot will be providing their Kids Build-It workshop.
FREE Admission Day!
Fireworks
Sunday, July 14, 2024, 9:30 pm – Petersen Park
Sponsored by Ignite Medical Resorts and City of McHenry
After the last band on Sunday, we’ll light up the sky with an incredible fireworks display. There is no charge to park or at the gate. Limited parking available, so come early!
RC Racing
July 12 – 14, 2024, Petersen Park
Sponsored by Castle Automotive Group
Compete with your friends racing an RC car around the giant 28’L banked oval speedway. Each participant races using a full size steering wheel and shift column. Just like real racing, you get the spectacular crashes, the high-speed spinouts and the bumping and rubbing of real stock car racing. Please note: there is a cost to race.
Yard Games
July 12 – 14, 2024, Petersen Park
Sponsored by McDonald’s – Bear Family Restaurants
FREE family-friendly yard games like cornhole, giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, and more inside the gate!
Carnival
July 12 – 14, 2024, Petersen Park
Thrill rides, family rides, games and carnival fun provided by Skinners Amusements.
40th Annual Car Show
July 14 2024, 8:00 am – 2:30 pm
The Car Show features muscle cars, street rods, old school hot rods, rat rods, custom, antique, vintage, domestic and imported cars and trucks of all kinds from all manufacturers.
Food
July 12 – 14, 2024, Petersen Park
A variety of local restaurants and your favorite food trucks will be at the event
Big Wheels Race
Sunday, July 14, 2024 – 3pm at Petersen Park
Hosted by City of McHenry Parks and Recreation Department
NEW DAY AND LOCATION! The Big Wheels Race will take place during Beach Bash Sunday near Petersen Park Beach House. Children (ages 3-5) ride their all-plastic big wheels to compete for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies. All children receive a participation ribbon. $5/child (registration accepted day of event)
Lakefront 5K and Kids Fun Run (formerly River Run)
July 13, 2024, Check-in from 7:00 am – 7:45 am – Race starts at 8:00 am.Petersen Park Beach
Hosted by City of McHenry Parks and Recreation Department
Open to all ages. Course is chip timed. Fee includes t-shirt and swag bag. Awards will be given. Register online in 2024.