St. Gerald Fest and Carnival 2025: What You Need To Know

OAK LAWN, IL — For over 65 years, the parishioners of St. Gerald Church have been setting up booths and rides on the corner of Southwest Highway and Central Avenue for the annual summer parish carnival. This weekend, the ever popular St. Gerald Fest returns for four fun-filled days, from Aug. 7 through Aug. 10.

Live music, good food, big rides, crafts and a variety of games of skill and chance will highlight this year’s edition of St. Gerald Fest and Carnival, presented by the parish’s Holy Name Society.

Mega-passes good for rides on all four days can still be purchased online in advance through 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, for $75 at Innovative Ticketing. The price goes up to $100 when purchased during the carnival, cash sales only. Present your printout voucher or show a digital copy on your phone at the Modern Midways ticket booth. No single day passes are being offered this year.

Rides and amusements are provided by Dyer, IN-based Modern Midways. A tentative list of attractions include: a vertigo 100’ tall tower swing; the Hangover, Tornado, Zero Gravity and the big gondola Ferris wheel. For the little kiddos, Modern Midways will be toting the Motorcycle Race, Tea Cups, super slide, Puppy Roll and Quad Runner.

The Dukes Italian Beef and Los Friends Tacos food trucks will be selling food, plus the usual carnival fare for your funnel cake cravings.

Bingo, pull tabs and other raffles offer fest goers a chance to win some great prizes and cash. The carnival committee has also lined up some great bands appearing in the beer garden and tent.

Proceeds from the carnival will help support the parish elementary school. Keep up with St. Gerald Fest and Carnival happenings on Facebook.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 St. Gerald Fest and Carnival:

Thursday, August 7

Carnival Hours: 5 to 10 p.m.
Beer Garden: 5 to 11 p.m.
Bingo: 6 to 9 p.m.
Band: Hurricane Gumbo, 7 to 10 p.m.

Friday, August 8

Carnival Hours: 5 to 11 p.m.
Beer Garden: 5 p.m. to midnight Bingo: 6 to 10 p.m.
Band: My 80's Band (7 to 11 p.m.)

Saturday, August 9

Carnival Hours: 1 to 11 p.m.
Beer Garden: noon to midnight
Bingo: 6 to 10 p.m.
Bands: The Prissila's, 3 to 7 p.m.; Whiskey Road, 8 to 11 p.m.

Sunday, August 10

Carnival Hours: 1 to 10 p.m.
Beer Garden: noon to 10 p.m.
Bingo: 5 to 8 p.m.
Bands: Hoodwink’d, 3 to 6 p.m.; The Walk-Ins, 8 to 11 p.m.