Annually since 1991, the Park District of Highland Park sets up several dip nets along the lakefront for people to experience catching and cleaning smelt fish. The district fires-up the grill and cooks what's caught. Musical entertainment is on hand. It's a great free event for all ages and not many people know what a smelt fish is, but when they leave this event they have no question. Trains from all over the country come to Franklin Park for two days each year since 1996.
Visitors tour the parked trains.
There's live entertainment, food, train memorabilia, children's activities and a variety of booths. But trains are what make this event so unique. Everyone both young and old have some fascination with these huge machines. Ethnic food, global entertainment, ethnic arts and crafts, camel rides, children's activities. Annually since 1996, this festival features people from days past in period dress, demonstrating and sharing their lifestyles and cultures.