It’s the kind of event people talk about for weeks, months, even years after the fact.

And it’s been drawing generation after generation of summertime revelers to Woodridge for nearly three decades.

The village, celebrating its 51-year anniversary later this summer, begins the summer season with its landmark blowout, the 27th Annual Woodridge Jubilee, scheduled this year for June 16 through June 20.

Thousands of festival-goers typically attend the long weekend filled with food, music, games, rides and family fun, said Julie Rhodes, park district assistant superintendent of recreation.

The shindig is presented each year by the Woodridge Park District in cooperation with the Village of Woodridge. The site is near the corner of Woodridge and Center drives, just west of the Town Centre.

Rhodes said Saturday crowds, alone, can top out at between 3,000 and 5,000.

This year, Saturday’s Jubilee also will feature Cultural Fest, a celebration of the community’s diversity. The fest was formerly held in late summer or early fall. The village decided to move that festival to coincide with Jubilee to save money as it struggles with budget issues.

Rhodes said Cultural Fest will run concurrently and should blend well with Jubilee.

“Basically, we’re just incorporating their bands into our schedule,” she said.

The first three bands to take the stage on Saturday, June 19, will be Cultural Fest bands. They include: the Shannon Irish Rovers Bagpipe Band at 1 p.m., Od Tapo Imi Steel Drum Band at 3 p.m. and Midway Ramblers Cajun Band at 5 p.m.

The day’s musical entertainment continues with Jubilee bands: at 7 p.m., it’s Local Favorite Band, followed by a 9 p.m. show featuring The Blooze Brothers Band.

On Thursday, the music kicks in with a 7 p.m. show from the Sag Valley Boys, followed by an 8 p.m. performance by Infinity.

Friday night’s music starts with Yard Fulla Cars at 7 p.m., followed by Thunder Road at 9 p.m.

Wednesday and Sunday’s Jubilee will feature only carnival.

Rhodes said that though no admission fees is charged to attend Woodridge Jubilee, festivalgoers must enter through one of five gates. Animals, bicycles and coolers are not allowed inside the festival grounds, she said. Attendees are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Tents will be set up to provide shade, she said.

Amusement rides for tots, including inflatable, bouncing rides, will be set up, along with bigger rides aimed at older children and adults.

The Jubilee also will offer a beer tent on Thursday through Saturday. Those same three days, the Woodridge Jaycees will coordinate bingo games.

Rhodes said more than 20 local organizations and businesses will showcase their products, services and activities during an organization fair set for Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. During the same time slot, a children’s workshop will be presented wherein kids can build a woodworking project.

From noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, a climbing wall will be available. Also on Saturday, That Tall Juggler Guy, Mike Von Druska, is scheduled to perform from 1 to 1:45 p.m. From 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, kids temporary tattoos will be available. And from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, golfers will try to chip golf balls into a hole floating on the surface of Lake Harriet during the Floating Hole-in-One Contest.

Carnival ride hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, 6 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Food vendors will be on hand from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Vendors include: Chicago Classics, Chicago Prime Market, Game on Dawg, Genoa Pizza, Ice Lolly Café, John’s Rib House, Miss Cindy Concessions, R and S Concessions, Salt Creek BBQ, Tropical Ice and Victor’s Grill.

Rhodes said visitors may park at the Town Centre, the Community Center and in a grassy lot on Woodridge Drive between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the fire station.

For more information, call the Woodridge Park District’s information line at (630) 353-3400 or visit www.woodridgeparks.org.