Plainfield Fest Generates $75,000 for Riverfront Foundation

It could take millions of dollars — not to mention decades — to make the Plainfield a reality.

But in its second year as organizer of , the said the three-day event, held July 20-22 in downtown Plainfield, raised about $20,000 more than .

Calling the event “the best fest ever,” Riverfront Foundation president Rob Epley said the festival turned a $75,000 profit. Prior to last year, the event was organized by .

Already, Epley said, vendors and musical acts are signing up for Plainfield Fest 2013.

“They can’t wait for next year,” he said.

Epley attributed the event’s success to the sunny, albeit hot, weather, along with participation from sponsors, this year’s musical lineup and Sunday’s “Bags & Baseball” theme.

“We kind of stepped up the talent this year,” Epley said, adding many of the bands, including Saturday night headliner Bad Medicine, brought their fanbase with them to the fest.

Epley said a bean bags tournament and appearances from former Chicago Cubs Bobby Dernier and Milt Pappas — not to mention Steve Trout, who pitched for both the Cubs and the White Sox — also drew visitors.

“We got a great response,” Epley said, adding fest organizers are likely to bring back “Bags & Baseball Sunday” next year. He estimated 15,000 people attended this year’s Plainfield Fest, up from 10,000 last year.

In the future, Epley said, the Riverfront Foundation hopes to host the event along the DuPage riverfront itself. The event supports plans to revitalize the riverfront.

“I am a huge advocate to get it moved out of downtown and utilizing the riverfront property,” including Riverfront Park, located east of along Lockport Street, he said.

This year, infrastructure problems — including lack of electricity — made it too difficult to bring the event to the riverfront, Epley said.

“I look at the riverfront as an economic driver for the community and for downtown,” he added.

Epley said while some downtown merchants look forward to the fest, others say it hurts business.

At alone, opinion is split.

Co-owner Chere Bates said the event is good for bringing in foot traffic — but doesn’t necessarily bolster sales.

“If you’re a food or beverage [merchant], you do much better,” Chere said, adding fest-goers don’t want to carry purchases around with them.

Husband John Bates said he looks forward to the day the event moves to the riverfront.

“[My] opinion is that [Lockport Street] is the main thoroughfare downtown and it should be open,” he said, referring to the fact that the street was closed during the three-day fest. “It’s closed an awful lot.

“ … I thought [this year’s Plainfield Fest] was well run, but I would prefer it to be held at the riverfront,” Bates said, adding he thinks holding the event along the DuPage River would also benefit the Riverfront Foundation by showcasing the property.

“It’s kind of a catch-22,” Epley said. “I hear the complaints from some businesses … but I also hear from some businesses that they love it and that it brings business.”

Epley credited the Plainfield police and fire departments, along with the park district, with helping make the event a success.

“This is a fixture of a community event,” he said.