The blistering summer coming to a tragic end means two very important events for Niles North students: back to school, and Skokie’s Backlot Bash. The festivities start Aug. 26 and ends on the 28, with a bunch of fun filled events scattered throughout the weekend.

“There are always cool bands playing. I hope I get the chance to go this year with my friends. It’s the ideal place for a hangout and it’s right next to the library so if you get too hot you can head next door,” Emily Cohen, junior, said. “Plus there’s food.”

The event kicks off on Friday with a wide variety of carnival rides and games from 6-10 p.m. Unlike previous years, there will be no wristbands for unlimited rides for the first day. While these rides are open, bingo will also be taking place. Penthouse Sweet will be playing at 6:30 p.m., followed by Scott Besaw. The headliner for the night is Blue Oyster Cult, notorious for their 1976 classic “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”; they will be playing at 8:30 p.m.

The next day with start with the annual Backlot Dash. Registration begins at 6 a.m., while the race will start at 8:30 a.m. There will also be a Kids Fun Run starting a half an hour earlier. Rides start at noon that day, and there will be unlimited rides wristbands available for the afternoon. Later on, the Classic Auto Show will be held in the Skokie Public Library’s parking lot from 1-6 p.m. That night, The Cells with open for that night big show Living Colour.

Be sure to wake up early on Sunday to get to the Rotary Pancake Breakfast and Farmer’s Market. The Classic Car Show will be open again in the afternoon. Wristbands for unlimited rides will also be available again. The closing act with be the fan favorite Tributosaurus, this year covering a collection of Police and Sting songs.

For more information such as wristband prices, library stage events, and movies playing at the Skokie Theater, be sure to visit Skokie’s Backlot Bash website.