Oswego PrairieFest 2019: Music Lineup Features Spin Doctors, More

OSWEGO, IL — Oswegoland Park District's third decade of PrairieFest kicks off in June, and many attendees will take a trip down memory lane thanks to this year's featured performers during "The festival you know by heart." Musicians including "Closer to Free" singers BoDeans and Grammy Award nominee Spin Doctors will perform songs many people know by heart during the four-day community celebration, running June 13 through 16 throughout Oswego and the main festival grounds, located at PrairieFest Park.

PrairieFest will celebrate three decades of being both sweet and sensational, according to the event's website. Free admission, free parking, a carnival, food, live music and more will be enjoyed by 75,000 guests. Concerts just announced include:

Free concerts on First National Bank Main Stage

Thursday, June 13:

• Mike & Joe

Friday, June 14:

• Tricky Mission
• Spin Doctors

Saturday, June 15:

• Summer Son
• BoDeans

Sunday, June 16:

• Beatles Tribute band, American English.

Family entertainment

• Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Show will take place throughout the weekend
• The PrairieWinds Community Concert; anyone interested in joining the community band can contact Kristie Vest at kvest@oswegolandpd.org or (630) 554-4425.
• Friday Family Concert featuring Jim Gill

More event updates, including the festival brochure coming in May

Carnival

The PrairieFest carnival will open to the public on Thursday night, according to the event website. But before that, the carnival will open to families of children with special needs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., during which a modified experience with no lights or sounds and slower speeds will be offered where possible. Unlimited ride wristbands will be for sale for $10.

Carnival hours:

• Thursday, June 13: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Friday, June 14: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, June 15: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The carnival's $25 unlimited special rides special will run during all carnival hours Thursday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Parade

• 1 p.m. Sunday, June 16: The 2019 parade is going to be full of floats and bands for the 10,000 parade spectators to enjoy. All businesses and organizations are invited to line up for the PrairieFest Fathers’ Day Parade. The parade application will be posted online soon.

PrairieFest Food:

• Stay tuned for PrairieFest's food menu, featuring vendors from near and far.
• PrairieFest has been visited by sitcom and movie star Anthony Anderson and Carnival Cravings, Anderson’s Food Network television show.
• Food from PrairieFest was featured on The Cooking Channel’s, Carnival Eats.

Expo Village:

• Each space is a 12′ x 12′ grassy area, and you provide your own tables and chairs.
• >>Additional participation guidelines and information.

PrairieFest 5K Run and PrairieFest 1 Mile Prairie Dog Jog:

• Both - 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 16at Prairie Point Community Park. Registration now open online.

Vendors, volunteers, Community groups and businesses looking to be a part of PrairieFest or the Expo Village, or those looking to present an event, march in the parade or other inquiries are encouraged to check out additional information at prairiefest.com and contact festival director Kristie Vest at (630) 554-4425 or by email at kvest@oswegolandpd.org.

All packets for involvement can be found on the prairiefest.com Get Involved page.

Video: Oswegoland Parks; Image via Renee Schiavone