The Origins of Fiesta Days

This year, the City of McHenry is celebrating Fiesta Days’ 75th anniversary. The annual celebration has probably become McHenry’s biggest event of the year, featuring concerts, food, and fun. The event is brought to the community by the McHenry Chamber of Commerce. For the first ten years of Fiesta Days the event went by a differet name. Marine Day would lay the foundation for the great event that the people of McHenry look forward to.

Adviertisement for the first Fiesta Day (Water Carnival) appearing in 26 Jun 1948 McHenry Plaindealer.

What we now know as Fiesta Days started in 1948. The McHenry Business Men’s Association wanted to find a way to promote the city of McHenry. At that time, McHenry seen as a resort town, with its biggest draw being the Fox River. For the first year, the event was called the Marine Carnival. The Business Men’s Association would put together events that would showcase the river, consisting of a variety of watercraft races. The first year showcased racing with canoes, row boats, and motor & speed boats. However, starting the event would be something that would become a staple of Fiesta Days to this very day, a parade. Leading off the notably colorful parade was the city officials’ car. The Marine Carnival was a resounding success, having an estimated 15,000 people showing up for the parade and races.

Photo of one of the boat races from Marine Days. Compliments of the City of McHenry.

For 1949, the event would have its name changed to Marine Day. Its predecessor, the Marine Carnival, was such a success that the McHenry Business Men’s Association decided to make it an annual event. Notably, the parade and boat races were brought back. The races attracted talent from across the area, as racers from Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison competed and were run by the National Power Boat Association. A beauty pageant with the winners being awarded, the Marine Day Queen and her court. The winner was the McHenry entry into the McHenry County Fair’s beauty pageant. The pageant ended up being held for many years. An organization, such as the local chapters of the Foresters or the Veterans of Foreign Wars, sponsored each candidate. The newly named Marine Day was an even more successful than the Marine Carnival. Local newspapers helped, as did radio coverage. Also, parts of the pageant and races appeared on local television. It was coverage like this that hoped to give McHenry nationwide attention. With the success from the previous year, the businesses knew that Marine Day would be a wonderful opportunity for the city to invest in.

Over the years, several of McHenry’s most prominent citizens were involved in the Marine Day committee. Charles Miller, Charles Vycital, LeRoy Smith, and Earl Walsh were just a few of those involved. Also, it became quite the item to have local radio & television celebrities make appearances on Marine Day. After Marine Day, the Pageant Queens frequently make appearances at local events and sometimes be on television stations like WGN. In May 1958, the Chamber of Commerce announced that Marine Day would be called Fiesta Days. The change was cited as the new name would be more inclusive to events such as concerts that wouldn’t necessarily involve the Fox River. Changing the name to “Fiesta Days” was the last step into making this great event the one we love today. The event has now been celebrated for over seven decades and remains McHenry’s most popular event of the year.

Thank you ad from the Marine Festival. Appeared in the 1 Jul 1948, McHenry Plaindealer.

Sources

  • “Fox River To Be Scene Of Gala Event.” The McHenry Plaindealer. (McHenry, IL) 24 Jun 1948, 1. Newspapers.com. Web. 12 Ju1 2023.
  • “Annual McHenry Water Carnival Set For June 27.” The McHenry Plaindealer. (McHenry, IL) 3 Jun 1948, 5. Newspapers.com. Web. 12 Ju1 2023.
  • “Colorful Parade, Boat Races, Sunday Features.” The McHenry Plaindealer. (McHenry, IL) 1 Jul 1948, 1. Newspapers.com. Web. 12 Ju1 2023.
  • “Public Thanked For Marine Day.” The McHenry Plaindealer. (McHenry, IL) 4 Aug 1949, 10. Newspapers.com. Web. 12 Ju1 2023.
  • “Officers For Business Men’s Ass’n Elected.” The McHenry Plaindealer. (McHenry, IL) 28 Apr 1949, 1. Newspapers.com. Web. 12 Ju1 2023.
  • “Many Attractions Promise To Make Day Memorable One .” The McHenry Plaindealer. (McHenry, IL) 28 Jun 1949, 1. Newspapers.com. Web. 12 Ju1 2023.
  • “Race For Queen of Marine Day Gains Interest” The McHenry Plaindealer. (McHenry, IL) 30 Jun 1949, 1. Newspapers.com. Web. 12 Ju1 2023.
  • “Fiesta Day To Be Filled With Variety of Attractions: List Rules For Queen Contest.” The McHenry Plaindealer. (McHenry, IL) 22 May 1958, 1. Newspapers.com. Web. 12 Ju1 2023.
  • “Important Business Greets Chamber of Commerce At First Fall Meeting: Discuss Future of Marine Day.” The McHenry Plaindealer. (McHenry, IL) 23 Sep 1954, 1. Newspapers.com. Web. 12 Ju1 2023.