Pictured are some fun scenes from last year’s Heritage Fest. The activities for this year’s event begins Friday and runs through Sunday night. (News-Leader file photos)

FUEL up on fun this weekend in downtown Rochelle.The 11th annual Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival kicks off at 4 p.m. on Friday when the amusement rides and food court opens for business.

The Golden K Little Miss Peanut contestants are the first to light up the stage at 6 p.m., followed at 8:30 p.m. by the 50s and 60s group, the Sting Rays.

An action-packed Saturday highlights the 2008 festival theme of “Technology, transportation and tourism: Fueling the future,” from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. with activities for all ages and interests.

While the kids will likely be sliding, swinging and spinning on the amusement rides, those of a more sedentary nature may enjoy the cool and quiet comfort of an afternoon of BINGO at the VFW.

Enthusiasts from far and wide will be checking out the transportation displays including the Rochelle Railroad Park, the car, motorcycle and kids model car show on Lincoln Highway, and the antique tractor show and truck display.

Catering to a variety of interests, the LHHF also offers small engine display, arts and craft show, business booth display, caricature artist and the Kids Zone at the Flagg-Rochelle Public Library. (Kids be sure to get your free “Passport” booklets for added fun and prizes.)

Savor a Rochelle Fire Department pork chop or Golden K brat while boppin’ along with Harbor Lights, the Doo Wop group that takes the main stage at 1:30 p.m., followed at 4 p.m. by the Blues/Southern Rock group, Blue Stone.

Evening entertainment gets rockin’ with Grand Avenue at 6:15 p.m. and wraps up with a LHHF country favorite the Billy Childers Band.

Wake up to the Lions Club “Pancakes in the Park” from 7:30 a.m. to noon Sunday morning and cruise over to the Rochelle Municipal Airport for the annual Fly-In/Drive-In between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for another free family fun event.

The 12th annual LHHF parade steps off at 3 p.m. led by the 2008 parade marshals Ben and Pat Burch and making its way from the Calvin Road and IL Route 38 intersection west to Lincoln Highway south through downtown. Approximately 100 units are expected to participate including musical entries such as the U.S. Navy Band Great Lakes, Lisa Chrisco, Matter of Fact, the Old Tymers and the RTHS marching band.

Be prepared to keep one eye on the sky as an aerial surprise or two may contribute to the parade festivities.

Cool off after the parade with an old-fashion ice cream social in the gazebo presented by the United Methodist Women and then prepare for the lightening fast and funny performance of comic hypnotist Daniel James.

“Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” with John Ellis and Double-Wide, as the most exciting jazz group on the scene today squeezes in an astonishing Rochelle appearance between shows in France and New York. This 2008 LHHF entertainment grand finale of New Orleans influenced jazz takes the owns the stage from 7 to 8:30 p.m. offering what DownBeat.com declares, “…a healthy dose of originality and flair…(with) one foot in church, one in the circus, and one in the jazz conservatory.”

For a complete schedule of events, please visit www.lincolnhighwayheritagefestival.com.