Oswego PrairieFest 2019: Guide To Music, Food, Activities

OSWEGO, IL — Summer is nearly here, which means it's time for the Oswegoland Park District's free, four-day PrairieFest, from Thursday, June 13, to Sunday, June 16, at PrairieFest Park, 91 Plank Drive. This year brings '90s hitmakers the Spin Doctors and BoDeans, along with the PrairieFest 5K, carnival, expo, the PrairieFest parade, pony rides, petting zoo, gymnastics obstacle course, pet adoption event, quilt show and, of course, plenty of food and live entertainment.

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As of Monday, the forecast calls for temperatures in the low 70s for the first few days of the festival, possibly hitting 76 by Sunday.

While the carnival, food, drinks and some activities (such as the PrairieFest 5K) come at a price, these things are free:

• Admission
• Parking
• Events and live music

Me too

Things will kick off Thursday with "Me too @PrairieFest." While the carnival opens to the general public at 6 p.m., families of children with special needs are invited to a special event from 3 to 5 p.m.

"The carnival will offer a modified experience with no lights or sounds [and] slower speeds where we can," the Oswegoland Park District says. Unlimited ride wristbands will be on sale for $10.

Carnival info

Hours:

• 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday
• Noon to 10 p.m. Friday
• Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday
• 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday

Unlimited ride specials are as follows:

• 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday — $30
• Noon to 4 p.m. Friday/Saturday — $25
• 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday — $25

The carnival is cash only, but an ATM will be available on the festival grounds and in the carnival area.

Live music

Here's what's on tap for PrairieFest 2019.

Thursday

• 4:45 to 5:15 p.m. — Oswego High School Vocal Choir
• 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. — Oswego East High School Music
• 7:30 p.m. — Mike & Joe, a Midwest modern rock cover band

Friday

• Noon — Family concert with Jim Gill
• 7 p.m. — Tricky Mission, a cover band hailing from the Fox Valley area
• 9 p.m. — Spin Doctors

Saturday

• 6:30 p.m. — Summer Son, playing modern country
• 9 p.m. — BoDeans

Sunday

• 4:30 p.m. — American English, a Beatles tribute band

PrairieFest 5K & One-Mile Prairie Dog Jog

• Bib pickup is from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday
• Race day registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, with prices of $35 (5K) or $20 (One Mile). Dogs and strollers are welcome
• Race begins at 8:30 a.m. Sunday

Other events

• Expo village open 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
• Petting zoo is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
• Free pony rides 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Chris Perondi's Stunt Dog Show performances are at 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday; 3 and 5 p.m. Sunday
• 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday — OHS cheer car wash at the football stadium
• 6 p.m. Thursday — Princesses and Superheroes
• 10 a.m. Friday — Gymnastics obstacle course
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday — Prairie Paws Pet Adoption event featuring area rescue groups
• 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday — Sip & Savor gastropub featuring food from La Cabana D'Oswego, The Village Grind, Oswego Brewing Company and Black Dog Distillery
• 8 a.m. Sunday — Father's Day pancake breakfast
• 1 p.m. Sunday — Prairie Fest parade in downtown Oswego

Still want more? From archery to bean bag baseball to improv to a cotton-candy eating contest and community art, find the full event lineup online or in the 2019 PrairieFest brochure.

Parade route via Oswegoland Park District:

What's cookin'?

Here's a look at the 2019 PrairieFest food options.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

• Boy Scouts — hot dogs, chips, soda, water
• Oswego Optimist Club — corn on the cob
• Oswego Otters — lemon shake ups

SWEETS & TREATS

• Bayou Chill — flavored shaved ice
• Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream
• Frannie’s Funnel Cakes
• Kettle Kabin — kettle korn, cinnamon roasted nuts
• LC Restaurant — fruit smoothies, monsterfries, chocolate dipped strawberries
• North American Food Service — apple dumplings, shakes, floats, sundaes

CARNIVAL CLASSICS

• Quality Concessions — cheddar nuggets, mozzarella sticks, jalapeno cheese poppers
• Suzie’s Fun Foods — corn dogs, toasted ravioli, potato skins, soft pretzels, slushies

MAKE IT A MEAL

• Freddie’s Off the Chain Catering — flautas
• Genoa Pizza — burgers, pizza, Italian sausage, bacon cheese fries, calamari, jumbo butterfly shrimp
• Delicja — pierogi, kielbasa, potato pancakes
• Greek Delights — gyros, chicken divine,shish-kabobs, Philly cheese steak, spinach pie, saganaki sticks
• Heartland Food Service LLC — chicken on a stick, alligator on a stick, loaded fries, chicken pita, cajun shrimp on a stick
• Lee Concessions — egg rolls, orange chicken, deep fried Oreos
• Pizza Cucina — pizza, pasta, meatball sandwich, Italian breaded steak sandwich
• Team Fib BBQ Caterers — brisket sandwich, pulled pork sandwich, nachos
• La Cebollita — enchiladas, burritos, pambazo
• Barone's Restaurant — buffalo chicken sandwich, eggplant sandwich, calamari, homemade chips with cheeses and bacon

For those who wish to purchase beer or wine, drink tickets are $6 cash or credit. Wristbands for those 21 and older will be available at the information booth.

Good to know

• Shuttle bus runs from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday to various parking lots.
• An info booth will be available with festival info, child safety wristbands, an ATM, first aid, beverage ID wristbands and tickets.
• Closest festival parking is accessed by Wooley or Wolf's Crossing road. Fenced lot is on Stonehill Road.
• Overflow parking is available at Prairie Point Park.
• Emergency shelter: Oswego High School, Door #13. Follow the blue signs.
• Rules: No pets, no coolers, no outside alcoholic beverages, no firearms/weapons. Bags will be checked for safety.