Carnival, Fishing Derby Return For 38th Annual Montgomery Fest

MONTGOMERY, IL — Montgomery Fest is coming back Aug. 18-20, and with it marks the return of a fishing derby, carnival and fireworks show.

The 38th annual festival will be held along the Fox River in Montgomery Park, 301 N. River St. The event promises three days packed with entertainment and food.

Big events to look forward to include the three-day carnival, by Windy City Amusements. Unlimited ride wristbands will range from $30-$35 per person based on the time and day. The Historic Preservation Commission Car Show will return from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

This year, officials are looking to show Montgomery Fest can make an even bigger impact on the community with Versiti Blood Centers of Aurora hosting a blood drive themed "Montgomery Saves Lives" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Village Hall, 200 N. River St.

"We have so many generous businesses and sponsors that help us keep entry to the Fest and all these great activities free," Doug Marecek, a trustee and Montgomery Fest committee chair, said in a statement. "This year, we made a conscious effort to talk about how Montgomery Fest could offer more and make a bigger impact on the community. We know our local hospitals desperately need blood."

To help bring attendees to and from Montgomery Fest, organizers are offering a free shuttle service all three days. It will depart from Lakewood Creek Elementary School, 2301 Lakewood Creek Drive, and Blain's Farm & Fleet parking lot, 400 Route 30. Shuttles are expected to run every half-hour from 5-10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

A limited amount of parking will be available on the streets just west of the grounds and in the Lyon Metal parking lot, 421 N. Main St.

Here's a look at the full schedule of events:

Friday

• 4-5:15 p.m. — Who We Are will perform
• 5-10 p.m. — Beer tent, food, vendors along River Stree
• 5-10 p.m. — Carnival
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. — Soul Sacrifice will perform
• 8-10 p.m. — Sonora Dinamita will perform

Saturday

• 9:45-10:30 a.m. — Miss Jamie's Farm will take the stage
• 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. — Food vendors along River Street
• 10 a.m. to noon — Chalk with a Cop, plus free car seat checks
• 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. — Miller's Petting Zoo
• 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Good Clean Fun will take the stage
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Historic Preservation Commission's car show in Austin Park
• 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. — Beer tent on River Street
• Noon to 10 p.m. — Carnival
• 12:30-1 p.m. — Fermilab's Mr. Freeze Science Show will take the stage
• 1-2:30 p.m. — South of Disorder will perform
• 3-5 p.m. — Kovac & Company will perform
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. — Voyage will perform
• 8-10 p.m. Semple will perform

Sunday

• 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Carp Fishing Derby
• 9:30-10:30 a.m. — Church in the Park with New Life Montgomery
• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. — Food vendors along River Street
• 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. — Beer tent on River Street
• 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Flipside will perform
• Noon to 1 p.m. — Jimmy Jamz Kids Show in front of Village Hall
• Noon to 9 p.m. — Carnival
• 1 p.m. — Parade step-off at Main and Madison streets
• 204 p.m. — Vital Signs will perform
• 4:30-6:30 p.m. — Planet Grove will perform
• 7-9 p.m. — Hi-Infidelity will perform
• 9 p.m. — Fireworks show, with launch at Austin Park