Gilberts, IL · September 12, 2026

America Strong Family Fest

Hope. Strength. Celebration.

📅 Saturday, Sept 12, 2026
⏰ 10 AM – 3 PM
📍 St. Peter Lutheran Church
🎟 Free & Open to All
Volunteer Sign-Up Become a Sponsor
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12
  • 📅
    Date Saturday, September 12, 2026
  • ⏰
    Time 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • 📍
    Location St. Peter Lutheran Church
    Gilberts, IL
  • 🎟
    Admission Free & Open to the Public
  • 👪
    Who All ages welcome
About the Event

A Community
Comes Together

On September 12th, 2026, the Gilberts, IL community will gather at St. Peter Lutheran Church for a day of hope, fun, and celebration — a chance to enjoy great company and celebrate the strength we share.

The fest is held every five years in remembrance of September 11th. This gathering marks the 25th anniversary; the next one will mark the 30th — so we hope you will join us for this one.

America Strong Family Fest is a free, public event welcoming neighbors of every age — from the youngest children to our more seasoned community members. We can’t wait to share a day full of music, laughter, great food, cool cars, and new friendships. Bring your family and join us!

See What’s Happening →
What to Expect

Something For
Everyone

A full day of live entertainment, food, community, and activities designed for every member of the family — from the youngest to the more seasoned. See the full schedule →

🎵

Live Music

A DJ opens the morning, kid karaoke takes the mic at 11:30, and the Bad Penny Band plays live from noon to 2:00 — then the DJ closes us out at 3:00.

🚗

Car Show

American muscle, vintage trucks, imports, hot rods — all makes and models welcome, on display all day with their hoods up and their owners on hand. Awards are handed out at 2:30. More about the car show →

🍽

Food & Refreshments

Food service opens at 11:00 AM and runs through 2:00 PM — come hungry, eat between the band sets, and stay a while.

🎨

Kids Zone

A bounce house and slide, yard games, a balloon artist, face painting, kids crafts in the early afternoon, and kid games before the wrap-up — plenty to keep small hands busy all day.

🔢

BINGO

Two rounds, one to open the day at 10:00 and one to close it at 2:00. All ages play — it is as much for grandparents as it is for grandkids.

🤝

Community Connection

The Gilberts Police Department will have a booth throughout the entire event, and the Elgin Police Department K9 Unit will present a canine demonstration at the booth from 1:30 to 2:00 PM. A fire truck, police car, and ambulance are also parked from 10:00 to 1:00 for kids to look at and touch, and the LCC Comfort Dogs are here through the morning.

Festival Schedule

Plan Your
Day

Doors open at 10:00 AM and we close at 3:00 PM. Come for an hour or stay for all five — here is what is happening and when, so you can plan around the band, the bingo, or the bounce house. Each hour shows what is starting now and what is still going from earlier, so whenever you arrive you can see everything available to you at that moment. The fest is held every five years, so this is one Saturday worth planning around.

  1. 10:00 AM Event Opens

    Starting Now 9

    • Car Show10:00 – 3:00
    • Gilberts Police Department Booth10:00 – 3:00
    • DJ’d Music10:00 – 11:30
    • Balloon Artist10:00 – 1:00
    • Bounce House & Slide10:00 – 3:00
    • Yard Games10:00 – 2:30
    • BINGO10:00 – 11:00
    • LCC Comfort Dogs10:00 – 12:30
    • Fire Truck, Police Car & Ambulance — Kids Look & Touch10:00 – 1:00
  2. 11:00 AM Food Opens

    Starting Now 1

    • Food Service11:00 – 2:00

    Still Going 8

    • Car Show10:00 – 3:00
    • Gilberts Police Department Booth10:00 – 3:00
    • DJ’d Music10:00 – 11:30
    • Balloon Artist10:00 – 1:00
    • Bounce House & Slide10:00 – 3:00
    • Yard Games10:00 – 2:30
    • LCC Comfort Dogs10:00 – 12:30
    • Fire Truck, Police Car & Ambulance — Kids Look & Touch10:00 – 1:00
  3. 11:30 AM Take the Mic

    Starting Now 1

    • Kid Karaoke11:30 – 12:00

    Still Going 8

    • Car Show10:00 – 3:00
    • Gilberts Police Department Booth10:00 – 3:00
    • Balloon Artist10:00 – 1:00
    • Bounce House & Slide10:00 – 3:00
    • Yard Games10:00 – 2:30
    • LCC Comfort Dogs10:00 – 12:30
    • Fire Truck, Police Car & Ambulance — Kids Look & Touch10:00 – 1:00
    • Food Service11:00 – 2:00
  4. 12:00 PM Live Music

    Starting Now 2

    • Bad Penny Band — Live Music12:00 – 2:00
    • Face Painting12:00 – 2:00

    Still Going 8

    • Car Show10:00 – 3:00
    • Gilberts Police Department Booth10:00 – 3:00
    • Balloon Artist10:00 – 1:00
    • Bounce House & Slide10:00 – 3:00
    • Yard Games10:00 – 2:30
    • LCC Comfort Dogs10:00 – 12:30
    • Fire Truck, Police Car & Ambulance — Kids Look & Touch10:00 – 1:00
    • Food Service11:00 – 2:00
  5. 1:00 PM Kids Crafts

    Starting Now 1

    • Kids Crafts1:00 – 2:00

    Still Going 7

    • Car Show10:00 – 3:00
    • Gilberts Police Department Booth10:00 – 3:00
    • Bounce House & Slide10:00 – 3:00
    • Yard Games10:00 – 2:30
    • Food Service11:00 – 2:00
    • Bad Penny Band — Live Music12:00 – 2:00
    • Face Painting12:00 – 2:00
  6. 1:30 PM K9 Demonstration

    Starting Now 1

    • Elgin Police Department K9 Unit — Canine Demonstration at the Gilberts Police Booth1:30 – 2:00

    Still Going 8

    • Car Show10:00 – 3:00
    • Gilberts Police Department Booth10:00 – 3:00
    • Bounce House & Slide10:00 – 3:00
    • Yard Games10:00 – 2:30
    • Food Service11:00 – 2:00
    • Bad Penny Band — Live Music12:00 – 2:00
    • Face Painting12:00 – 2:00
    • Kids Crafts1:00 – 2:00
  7. 2:00 PM Games & Bingo

    Starting Now 3

    • Kid Games2:00 – 2:30
    • DJ Music2:00 – 3:00
    • BINGO2:00 – 3:00

    Still Going 4

    • Car Show10:00 – 3:00
    • Gilberts Police Department Booth10:00 – 3:00
    • Bounce House & Slide10:00 – 3:00
    • Yard Games10:00 – 2:30
  8. 2:30 PM Recognition & Awards

    Starting Now 2

    • Sponsor Recognition2:30 – 3:00
    • Car Show Awards2:30 – 3:00

    Still Going 5

    • Car Show10:00 – 3:00
    • Gilberts Police Department Booth10:00 – 3:00
    • Bounce House & Slide10:00 – 3:00
    • DJ Music2:00 – 3:00
    • BINGO2:00 – 3:00
  9. 3:00 PM Event Closes

    Everything wraps at 3:00. Thanks for coming — the fest returns in five years, for the 30th anniversary.

Times are as scheduled and may shift a little on the day — check back here closer to September 12th.

Car Show

Bring Out
Your Cool Cars

Bring a car, or just come and look. American muscle, vintage trucks, imports, hot rods — all makes and models are welcome, and there is no cost to show or to view. Spots are limited and registration is required, so claim one early.

Classic cars and a vintage pickup truck parked on the grass in front of St. Peter Lutheran Church, with visitors walking between them on a sunny day.
Cars on the lawn at our 2025 show, St. Peter Lutheran Church.

Show Details

  • 📅
    WhenSaturday, September 12, 2026
  • ⏰
    Hours10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • 📍
    WhereSt. Peter Lutheran Church
    985 Galligan Road, Gilberts, IL 60136
  • 💰
    CostNo cost to show or to view
  • 📝
    RegistrationRequired, and spots are limited
  • 🏆
    AwardFan Favorite, awarded at 2:30
  • 🌧
    WeatherThe show and the event are cancelled for inclement weather

Own something you like to show? We would love to have it here. No cost to enter, and no restriction on make, model, or year — if it is a car people enjoy looking at, bring it. Spots are limited, so register early.

Register Your Car
Get Involved

Volunteer &
Make a Difference

Our volunteers are the heartbeat of America Strong Family Fest. We need enthusiastic community members ready to pitch in and help make this a day Gilberts will never forget.

Whether you can give one hour or the whole day, every helping hand is deeply appreciated. The fest is held every five years, so the help you give this September carries a long way.

🎪 Kids Activities
🔧 Set-Up & Tear-Down
🍽 Food & Refreshments
😊 Guest Services
🎵 Entertainment Help
✅ General Support

Sign Up to Volunteer

To volunteer right now, please email info@americastrongfamilyfest.com — online sign-up is not connected yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Know Before
You Go

A few quick answers to help you plan your visit to America Strong Family Fest.

🎟

Is the event free?

Yes. America Strong Family Fest is free and open to the public for all ages.

🚗

Where do I park?

General guest parking is available on site in the church parking lot. Parking volunteers will help direct traffic when you arrive.

♿

Is accessible parking available?

Yes. A limited number of accessible parking spaces will be available near the main festival area.

🍽

Is the food free?

Yes. Food and refreshments planned for the festival are free.

📝

Do I need to register?

General festival attendance does not require registration. Car-show participants must register in advance because spaces are limited and first come, first served.

🌧

What happens if it rains?

America Strong Family Fest will be canceled if it rains.

🐾

Can guests bring pets?

No. Guests should not bring pets because the event will include an Elgin Police Department K9 demonstration and LCC Comfort Dogs on site.

🪑

Should I bring a lawn chair?

Some chairs will be provided under the tent. Guests are also welcome to bring their own lawn chairs.

🙌

Can I volunteer on the day of the event?

Yes. Volunteers may sign up on the day of the event.

📍

Where do volunteers park?

Volunteers should park behind the garage on the north side of the grounds.

Find Us

Where to
Find Us

We can’t wait to welcome you on September 12th, 2026. On-site parking is available in the church lot, and volunteers will help direct traffic when you arrive. A limited number of accessible parking spaces will be available near the main festival area. Volunteers should park behind the garage on the north side of the grounds.

St. Peter Lutheran Church
985 Galligan Road, Gilberts, IL 60136
Get Directions
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Event Location

  • ⛩
    VenueSt. Peter Lutheran Church
  • 📍
    Address985 Galligan Road, Gilberts, IL 60136
  • 📅
    DateSaturday, September 12, 2026
  • ⏰
    Hours10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • 🎟
    AdmissionFree & Open to the Public
  • 🚗
    ParkingOn-site parking in the church lot
  • ♿
    Accessible ParkingLimited spaces near the main festival area
  • 📍
    Volunteer ParkingBehind the garage on the north side of the grounds
  • 👪
    WhoAll ages welcome