Plainfield Fest Makes Its Way into Town Next Weekend

Downtown Plainfield will be a bevy of excitement next weekend as live music, carnival rides, food vendors, a beer tent, business and craft expo, and more descend on the town.

Plainfield Fest will be Friday, July 20 through Sunday, July 22 along Lockport, Des Plaines, Illinois and Chicago streets. Admission is free and wristbands for the beer tent cost $1.

In addition to such favorites as Jaw Potato and Michael Heaton in the beer tent,  servings of pork chops on a stick from Annabell’s Bar-B-Q, and beef and dogs from Nabby’s, Plainfield Fest will feature a new family-themed sports day and a brand new ride. There will also be Bingo.

“Bingo is back after a few years’ hiatus,” said Rob Epley, festival chairman and president of the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation. “One of the biggest questions from the community was ‘What happened to bingo?’”

Bingo will be offered July 21 and 22 near the beer tent.

More than 45 vendors will participate in the business and craft expo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 21 and noon to 6 p.m. July 22. 

The annual fest is hosted by the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation with title sponsor . Other sponsors are plainfield.patch.com, , , , D’Arcy Automobiles and the Enterprise.

“The fest is the major fundraiser for Plainfield Riverfront, Plainfield’s hidden gem, which is going to be a major focal point and economic driver for Plainfield,” Epley said.

This year’s festival is expected to top proceeds of $50,000 in 2011, he said, for the Riverfront, the park-in-progress located at the west end of downtown Plainfield, south of Lockport Street, along the DuPage River.

“Bags & Baseball Day”:

From 1 to 5 p.m. July 22, the beer tent will be transformed into a family zone for “Bags & Baseball Day,” with sports memorabilia and appearances by former Gold Glove winner Bobby Dernier, former Cubs pitcher Milt Pappas, a Harry Caray impersonator and the Will County CrackerJacks, Plainfield’s own amateur collegiate baseball team.

The 32-team (two-person) bags tournament at 1 p.m. July 22 has an entry fee of $50, with an 80-percent prize payout.

“Sunday is unique, with the idea of creating a family-friendly event,” Epley said, adding the Cubs vs. Cardinals game will be broadcast and raffles will include tickets for Cubs, Sox and Bears games.

Carnival:

Carnival rides will operate from 4 to 11 p.m. July 20, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 21 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 22. A bracelet for $22 for unlimited rides will be available July 22 only.

North American Midway Entertainment will unveil the new ride “Freak Out” at Plainfield Fest, Epley said. In addition to carnival rides, there will be a kids’ jump zone sponsored by Kiddie Academy of Plainfield.

Beer tent:

Over in the beer tent, Epley said big crowds are especially expected for , from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, and Bon Jovi tribute band Bad Medicine from 9:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday.

The entertainment lineup in the beer tent also includes: Friday, Michael Heaton from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Spoken Four from 9 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, One Twenty West from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Dan Hubbard & the Humadors from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Jaw Potato from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Parking:

Parking and road closures will be the same as last year.

“I encourage people to park at the free Riverfront lot which offers good access to the west entry of the fest,” Epley said.

Parking also will be available at and . Handicapped parking will be 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.

Road Closures:

The announced closures in effect from 6 p.m. July 19 through midnight July 22 are:

• 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 eastbound traffic, 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.

For more details, call (815) 439-2824 or click here.