Despite the Heat, the First Two Days of Plainfield Fest Deemed a Success

Victoria Westhoff scoped her target, pulled back the trigger and fired her final shot.

“You’re a winner,” the game vendor exclaimed, just after the final shot knocked another can to the ground.

It was a common phrase that resonated Saturday throughout the 30th annual Plainfield Fest, where it seemed that everyone from vendors to patrons to businesses ended up winners.

“There’s a wide variety of activities,” said Kathy Westhoff, Victoria’s mother. “I like it. They liked getting their hair done by Boozle B’s and they liked the rides. There was a good variety of them.”

Friday night, the first day of three-day event, was definitely a hit, said Paul Fay, festival committee chairman and Plainfield village trustee.

“That was confirmed by the manager of the carnival, who said his ticket sales were up 50 percent yesterday over past years,” Fay said. “We had a very good crowd. We’re expecting an even stronger crowd tonight.”

U.S. Cellular representative and temporary face painter Kelley Cure-Anderson added, “Our goal of what we came here to do hasn’t quite been met, but we’ve gotten very close.”

With plenty of rides, including the classic Tilt-a-whirl and Little Obie, a scaled-down train offering free rides courtesy of the Canadian National Railway, children of all ages found plenty of activities to distract from the humidity and scorching heat that topped out at 90 degrees.

That included little Carlie Gabler, who won a prize at Crazyball.

“They’re enjoying themselves,” Carlie’s mother Christine said. “It’s pretty hot, but they love playing the games.”

Fay said having lots for the kids to do is a chief goal.

“There’s an inflatable obstacle course that’s had a lot of children go through it, and the bungee jump is new and there’s kids on it all the time.”

Festival proceeds will go to the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation and developing the riverfront into an entertainment and recreation destination.

Fest admission is free. The carnival remains open through 11 p.m. Saturday night and from noon until 6 p.m. Sunday, with unlimited carnival rides for $22.

The band Moonlighters will perform at noon Sunday, followed by Overman at 2 p.m. and Jaw Potato from 4 to 6 p.m.

Parking is available at Plainfield Central High School, Plainfield Village Hall, and the Riverfront property south of Lockport Street and west of the DuPage River. Handicapped parking is available on Lockport Street east of James Street, on Chicago Street between Illinois and Des Plaines streets, and at the Fire Department Headquarters lot on Des Plaines Street.

For a map of the festival layout, including parking, or other information, visit www.plainfieldfest.org.

For the festival, the Plainfield Police Department will close several streets through Monday morning: Lockport Street between Route 59 and Fox River Street - completely closed to all traffic; Lockport Street between James and Fox River streets – checkpoint controlled and open to businesses, residents and handicapped parking; Des Plaines Street between Ottawa and Oak streets –closed, with checkpoint at Oak and Des Plaines street for local traffic and handicapped parking; Illinois Street between the library and alley south of Lockport Street – closed; Chicago Street between Illinois and Fox River streets –closed, with a checkpoint at Illinois and Chicago streets for local residents and handicapped parking; Fox River Street between Lockport and Ottawa streets – checkpoint-controlled access.