Onesti, Grand Victoria team up for July 4 holiday weekend music fest

There was excitement in the air at an Elgin City Council meeting last week as representatives from Grand Victoria Casino and Onesti Entertainment announced detailed plans for Elgin’s first ever Rock and Roll Jackpot Fourth of July Weekend.

The collaborators offered a presentation by event producer Ron Onesti. Featuring a video which recapped the successes of last year’s three concerts in Festival Park, the presentation also included a preview of the planned July 4 fireworks show, then announced the artists slated to perform at the two-night mini-festival as well as several more coming attractions.

On Thursday, July 3, chart-topping classic rock hitmakers Three Dog Night will perform at Festival Park in an event solely promoted by Grand Victoria Casino and Onesti Entertainment. 

On Friday, July 4, the planned celebration represents a partnership among GVC, Onesti, and the City of Elgin.

Festivities will begin in the late afternoon with food, drinks, fun, and The Chicago 6 featuring Dan Hampton, Steve McMichael, and Otis Wilson. These members of the ’85 Chicago Bears, along with some friends, will perform a variety of classic hits from artists such as Smokey Robinson, Eddie Money, and ZZ Top.

As darkness descends, American singer, songwriter and musician Dennis DeYoung and his band will perform the hits of DeYoung’s chart-topping former band Styx, as well as his own material.

Finally, the night will reach its crescendo with the return of Creedence Clearwater Revisited to Festival Park and a spectacular fireworks display.

“Creedence Clearwater Revisited was a highlight of the City of Elgin’s last Fox Fire Fest in 2009 and the band is fondly remembered by many,” said Suzanne Phillips, Director of Marketing for Grand Victoria Casino. “In bringing the band back, we wanted to acknowledge the history of great arts and entertainment events in Festival Park and our intention to continue that tradition.”

Ticketing information for 4th of July will be released in April. General admission seating will be available at a ticket price of $5.

Finally, a partial concert schedule at Festival Park was revealed. 

Among the dates announced are Italian operatic pop trio Il Volo June 20, an ‘80s metal show featuring Eddie Trunk of VH1’s That Metal Show with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, Tom Keifer of Cinderella, and Vince Neil of Motley Crue on June 22, country artist Josh Turner on July 12, and classic rockers Deep Purple with special guests The Orchestra/ELO Part II on August 20.

Il Volo tickets are now on sale. Tickets for Il Volo will not be available at Grand Victoria Casino at this time; rather, they will be available exclusively via Onesti Entertainment at www.oshows.com or by phone at 888.695.0888. Ticketing information for all other events is forthcoming.

“We’re bringing the excitement back to Festival Park,” said Jim Thomason, General Manager of Grand Victoria Casino. “We’re pleased to work with the City of Elgin on our shared goal of creating a lasting attraction with long-term impact to the community and its residents.”

After the council presentation Mayor David Kaptain agreed. “We are pleased that the Grand Victoria Casino recognizes the potential Festival Park has as a concert venue. We look forward to providing support to the Grand Victoria Casino and Mr. Onesti to bring high-quality,

professional entertainment to Elgin. This is a great economic development tool and will enhance our rapidly growing reputation as the Arts and Entertainment Center of the northwest suburbs.”

Headed by Wood Dale resident Ron Onesti, Onesti Entertainment offers a variety of festival events throughout the Chicago suburbs as well as a full roster of entertainment at its home base, the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. For more information, visit www.OShows.com.

Opened in 1994, Grand Victoria Casino is home to gaming and dining as well as a key source of community support for the City of Elgin, Kane County, and the State of Illinois. 

Twenty percent of GVC’s annual adjusted net operating income goes to programs that benefit these areas. A portion of this contribution makes up the Grand Victoria Foundation, which was established to provide a sustainable source of support for education,environmental, and economic development programs. For more information visit www.GrandVictoriaCasino.com.

— News Bulletin news sources