Skokie's Backlot Bash In Back On Oakton Street For 14th Year

SKOKIE, IL — The Backlot Bash is set to return for its 14th year in downtown Skokie in on the last weekend of August, officials announced Friday, timing the announcement with the state's move to the final phase of the governor's reopening plan.

The Ohio Players will headline the Friday night of the three-day street festival on Aug. 27, while Saturday's night's show will feature sets from The Verve Pipe followed by Matthew Sweet and Sunday will feature Tributosaurus covering The Allman Brothers.

Twelve more live music acts for the two-stage festival are yet to be announced. The festival will also include a carnival midway, a beer tent with a small stage, a bingo tent, a 5K and a fun run, a farmer's market and more, according to organizers.

The Backlot Bash is produced by the village, park district, public library, chamber of commerce and township public high school district.

Established in 2007, the event pays tribute to Skokie's history as a popular location for shooting silent films produced by Chicago-based Essanay Film Manufacturing Co. in the first two decades of the 20th century, since the downtown of what was then called Niles Centre looked a lot like an western town.