LZ Residents Rediscover Downtown

Village President Tom Poynton watched the crowds from a sidewalk, wearing his Rock the Block volunteer T-shirt, smiling as he talked with residents and took in the huge crowd.

Rock the Block not only represented an effort to bring more special events to Lake Zurich, it represented a joint effort by residents and the village to put a fresh face on the downtown.

“To me Rock the Block is not just a logo or a slogan,” he said in welcoming everyone to the inaugural event. “It is the recognition that all Village residents, no matter their differences, are bound together by a common, shared desire to make our village event better for everyone who lives here.”

He thanked everyone who worked on the event, particularly the Rock the Block committee. Committee members were: LZ Parks and Recreation Manager Dave Peterson, Mike Rein of the Rotary Club, Footloose from the Lions Club, Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce Director Dale Perrin and Board President Bonnie Conte, local business owner Joe Schweda of Scoreboards and Lake Zurich residents Janet Barron, Elke Kadzielawski, Mary Beth Euker, Susan Miller and Cheryl Gorey.

The night was filled with people dancing in the street, eating tasty treats from area restaurants and food trucks, people greeting old friends and an excitement for the future of LZ’s downtown.