Hundreds attend Unplugged Festival in Lake Zurich sans phones; ‘Wouldn't it be great … to connect on a personal level?'
The event continued to build upon its original theme of disconnecting from the cell phone and, instead, connecting with the community at large.
The other purpose was live demonstrations and interactive displays from local businesses, along with outreach programs available in the area. Nearly 50 organizations were represented, as families were urged to bring a picnic lunch and explore new hobbies, make crafts or just relax.
'The festival was created by Alexis Alt in 2020, and she was only 11 years old at the time,' Lake Zurich Mayor Tom Poynton said. 'It was a response to people's reliance on technology during COVID. It's grown into a significant community event.
'She did a lot of the groundwork, and proves that you can make a success of your passion at any age,' he said.
Alt is a former Miss Lake Zurich, and the teenager hit on the idea at a summer camp.
'I went to a device-free summer camp,' she said. 'It was liberating, and fun just to talk with people. Afterwards, I saw how many people were literally attached to their phones, and thought, 'Wouldn't it be great just for everyone to connect on a personal level?''
COVID derailed the first attempt to stage the event in 2019, and oddly, rain played a part by washing out the following year's event. The Foglia YMCA in Lake Zurich stepped in, and allowed the event to be held on its premises. It has been located at Paulus Park ever since.
'Yes, we helped stage the inaugural event, and have watched it grow over the years,' said Carrie Landmeier, Foglia's senior director of customer experience. 'It's great exposure for us in presenting what we have to offer. If it translates into memberships and people getting healthy, that's a great thing.'
Alt, now 16, is dedicated to community service including groups like the SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program and the Lake Zurich Leos Club. She is also the current Miss Ela Township. She said setting up the festival always brings something new to her attention, as well as the community.
'Lake Zurich has a dance studio,' she said. 'I didn't even know the stuff was here. The big impacts are that businesses have free advertising and free trials. The other is people connect to the businesses, businesses connect to the community, and the community connects to others in the community.'
Alt said that her parents helped out making legal arrangements such as insurance, permits and items only an adult has the authority to do.
'She has done a fantastic job, both this year and in past years, with this community-focused event,' said Marisa Boynton, the special events recreation supervisor for the village's parks office. 'We're excited to have such wonderful external partners like Unplugged Fest to choose our property to host their amazing event.'
Jennifer Ashley, a visitor to the event, said, 'I wasn't even aware of a lot of these businesses being in town. I love crafts and painting, so this fuels my hobbies and interests. It was a metaphysical event with the little bit of rain, and no phones.'
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