Community Corner
Riverdays a Party in the Park for Riverfront Redevelopment
The fundraiser features a picnic Friday, and bean bags, mud volleyball, an art fair, duck race, children's games and more Saturday.
The Plainfield Riverfront Foundation invites you to get outdoors this weekend with a ticketed barbecue/bonfire party Friday and free-admission family festival Saturday.
The second annual will be held at Riverfront Park, 24401 W. Lockport St., at the west end of downtown Plainfield, just west of the DuPage River.
The community barbecue from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday will feature grilled chicken, a pork-carving station, artisanal sides, an open bar with beer and wine, a bonfire, music, silent auction, raffles and a presentation on developments at the park.
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Tickets are $50 and available in advance at www.plainfieldriverdays.com and at Village Hall, Marsaglia Agency, Live 59, Plainfield Public Library, Dive Right in Scuba and Bart Homes.
The Saturday celebration from noon to 10 p.m. will include mud volleyball and bean bag tournaments, a petting zoo, miniature golf, Plainfield Art League art fair and two entertainment stages.
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Kids can take part in a balloon toss and other games and burn of some energy in inflatable jump houses. Most kids’ games are free. Tractors and fire engines also will be stationed at the park.
A popular event is the duck race down the river. A duck costs $5, or $20 for a 5-duck “Quack Pack.” At 4 p.m., ducks are placed in the river. Cash prizes will be awarded for top swimmers, with $500 going to first place, $200 to second place and $100 to third place.
“It’s a great fundraiser for us and a lot of excitement,” said Jeff Dement, event chairman and vice president of the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation.
A youth fishing contest also will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday.
New this year is a second entertainment stage for teens at the south end of the park. Lineup is: Danny Fox, 1 p.m.; Mainline, 2 p.m.; Ramona’s Revenge, 3 p.m.; Ben Lerner Group, 4 p.m.; Altus, 5 p.m.; Fickles Lot, 6 p.m.; Mason Ave., 7 p.m.; 379D, 8 p.m.; and the Peasant Revolution, 9 p.m.
The main stage schedule is: Company B, 12:15 p.m.; SRM Cloggers, 1:05 p.m.; Phil Passen, 1:45 p.m.; Karlie Traversa, 2:25 p.m.; Vaughan Dance Academy, 2:50 p.m.; Running Fox Bluegrass Band, 3:30 p.m.; Thistle & Heather Highland Dancers, 4:25 p.m.; Harvest Choir, 5:10 p.m.; Bomac Band, 5:35 p.m.; and Karen Hart Band, 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Food vendors and a beer tent also will be part of River Days. At the point of entry, guests age 21 and up can obtain wristbands. Alcohol will be allowed outside of the beer tent, within festival grounds.
On-site parking will be limited to those with handicap placards and vendors. Additional parking will be available at . Two buses will provide shuttle service. Golf cart-style service also will be available for individuals in need of assistance traversing the 2-mile park.
The Riverfront Foundation hopes to raise $12,000 to help fund plans to turn the former into a recreation destination, with hiking, biking, canoeing and fishing.
Interest seems to be growing in park plans, Dement said. The Plainfield Riverfront Foundation’s informational booth drew a crowd at the recent Midwest Brewers Fest held at the park.
“People were quite interested in what will go on at the park and what was there originally at the turn of the century,” he said. “We’re actively trying to be out in the community and trying to get corporate sponsors.”
For more details, visit www.plainfieldriverdays.com or www.plainfieldriverfront.com.
