Images from 2nd Annual JazzFest Glen Ellyn July 12, 2008

The McAninch Arts Center (MAC) and 90.9 fm WDCB, Public Radio from College of DuPage, in partnership with Karnes Pricket Design and the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce, will present JazzFest Glen Ellyn from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 11, in downtown Glen Ellyn.

The free event, which last year drew a crowd of more than 3,000 jazz fans, transforms Main Street from Crescent Boulevard to Pennsylvania into a jazz oasis. Drury Design is once again a proud presenting sponsor of this community event to promote the central business district of Glen Ellyn.

“Last year’s festival drew people from as far away as Wisconsin and Indiana who made the trek to Glen Ellyn,” said Roland Raffel, MAC marketing director.

Amid the local shops and specialty boutiques, JazzFest Glen Ellyn visitors have the opportunity to hear some of Chicago’s top jazz musicians, experience the amazing Hursthouse Jazz Garden and enjoy delicious food, beverages and other refreshments.

Past musical acts included Bobby Lewis Sextet, Joan Hickey Trio, Henry Johnson Trio, Willie Pickens Trio, Paulinho Garcia with John Moulder and Chevere, featuring Alejo Poveda and Howard Levy.

Created to present a unique and entertaining musical event, Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn is founded on the broad appeal of live jazz and presents an opportunity for Glen Ellyn and other Chicago area residents to embrace professional live jazz performances in a distinctive outdoor festival environment.

While the 2009 Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn lineup won’t be announced for a few weeks, fest organizers want to remind the public of the elements that made last year’s event so successful.

In addition to the wonderful musical entertainment, Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors returns this year, transforming Main Street from a vehicular thoroughfare to a lush, green “jazz garden” with intimate seating areas where attendees can enjoy the music.

“Last year we contributed over 25,000 perennial flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees to transform Glen Ellyn’s Main Street and we are looking forward to sharing some new surprises we have in story for this year,” owner Bob Hursthouse said.

Admission to JazzFest Glen Ellyn is free and sponsors fund the majority of the event’s cost. Community member donations are, however, appreciated. Fest goers also are encouraged to bring their own chairs, as seating is limited for this popular event.

For more information on the festival, sponsorship opportunities and updates on this year’s musical line-up, visit: www.JazzFestGlenEllyn.org.