Community Corner
Eddie Olczyk, Blackhawks Theme Highlight Plainfield Fest 2013
With a Blackhawks-themed Sunday planned, the fest will last from July 19-21 in downtown Plainfield. Next year, the event will move to a still-to-be-determined venue.
Queue up the "Chelsea Dagger" -- the 'Hawks are coming to Plainfield Fest, the annual fundraiser for the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation set for July 19-21 in downtown Plainfield.
Fresh off the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup win, Hawks WGN analyst and former player Eddie Olczyk will make an appearance in the Plainfield Fest beer tent as from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21.
In fact, the beer tent will be transformed into a hockey-themed sports tent all day Sunday, with appearances by the Blackhawks Ice Girls and — possibly — other Blackhawks celebrities, according to Riverfront Foundation President Rob Epley.
"We're really excited about this," Epley said.
Olczyk will sign autographs for $20 each (flat photos only), and the 'Hawks ice crew will conduct a 50/50 raffle, as well as raffle off Blackhawks memorabilia.
As sports fans continue to celebrate the Blackhawks' victory at the fest, the bean bags tournament will also return to the fest on Sunday, July 21, starting at 1 p.m.
Epley said organizers are expecting high-level competitors this year, and said spots are filing up fast. Cost is $50 per two-person team, and teams can still register online, or click here for a mail-in registration form.
Winners will receive cash prizes of up to $1,000 for first place, $300 for second, $200 for third, $130 for fourth and $50 for fifth.
Pizza contest
Another new element this year will be a pizza content.
Plainfield pizza restaurants — and any restaurant that delivers to Plainfield — are invited to enter to win the title of best pizza in Plainfield.
Businesses looking to enter their favorite pies in the contest can contact Cyndi Fulco at rosals@rosals.com.
Fest-goers can pay a $5 per person entry fee to come in and taste all the pizzas, then cast their votes putting their ticket in a fishbowl for their favorite pizza place.
Tasting lasts from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 21, and the restaurant with the most tickets will be crowned the winner.
Carnival info
North American Midway will bring the carnival back to Plainfield Fest this year.
"They bring out the greatest, best, latest rides, "Epley said.
The carnival is open from 4 to 11 p.m. July 19; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 20; and noon to 6 July 21.
Entertainment
Epley said the fest, the signature fundraiser for the Riverfront Foundation's efforts to revitalize Plainfield's riverfront, will also bring live music to downtown Plainfield.
Led Zeppelin cover band Kashmir is expected to draw crowds at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by Spoken Four at 9 p.m.
On Saturday, Plainfield-based band One Twenty West will take the stage at 3:30 p.m., followed by Walsher Clemons at 5:30 p.m. and classic rock cover band Karen Hart Band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday's headliner, Dave Matthews cover band Trippin Billies, will perform at 9:30 p.m.
Local flavor
This year's fest has a local flavor, with plenty of Plainfield-area vendors serving up concessions, including:
- Annabell's Bar-B-Q
- Aurelio's of Plainfield
- Nabby's
- The Penalty Box
- New China Express
- Little Johnnie's
- Peggy's Pig-Out
- Coach's Corner
- Kelrey's Fun Food
- RS Concessions
- Good Humor
- Maui Wowi
- Dippin' Dots
Fest schedule
Presented by returning sponsor Rod Baker Ford, Plainfield Fest will return to downtown Plainfield along Lockport, Des Plaines, Illinois and Chicago streets, from Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21.
Click here for a map of the fest grounds.
On Friday, the event begins at 4 p.m. Carnival rides end at 11 p.m., followed by the beer tent at midnight.
The fest reopens at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the carnival resuming at 11 a.m. The carnival will end at 11 p.m., and the beer tent closes at midnight.
On Sunday, the final day of the fest, the fun resumes at noon and ends at 6 p.m.
Last year in downtown Plainfield
Last year, Epley said the fest drew between 10,000 and 12,000 people. In the last two years, the event has raised more than $150,000 for the Riverfront Foundation.
"We hope to say that increase significantly, just [due to] the entertainment," Epley said.
The money is funding projects such as planned renovations at the new riverfront headquarters, including a concession stand and public restrooms, and plans for riverfront landscaping and a possible partnership with the Plainfield Park District to create new bike/walking paths, Epley said.
But 2013 will mark the event's last year in downtown Plainfield, he said, noting that the event has outgrown the space.
"We're still looking around" for a new location, Epley said. "Unfortunately, we've just run out of space."
Check back with Patch for Plainfield Fest updates, and visit the Plainfield Fest website and Facebook page.
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