Plainfield Fest 2019 Guide: Food, Music, Carnival, Road Closings

PLAINFIELD, IL —Plainfield Fest returns the heart of downtown Plainfield on Des Plaines and Lockport streets for the 37th year on Friday through Sunday, July 19, 20 and 21 with live music, food, a bags tournament and a carnival. Admission is free and concessions and drinks will be for sale.

Related: Shorewood Crossroads Fest 2019: Dates, Lineup, Parking, More

Though the fun officially begins Friday, a private carnival event for those with special needs kicks is set for Thursday, and the Best Pizza contest returns Sunday.

Carnival info

The schedule for this year's carnival from North American Midway Entertainment has also been announced. The carnival will once again be located at Plainfield Central High School, 24120 Fort Beggs Drive.

Carnival hours are:

• 4 to 11 p.m. Friday (regular pricing)
• Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday (regular pricing)
• Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday (regular pricing or $25 unlimited rides)

Regular carnival pricing is $1.50 per ticket, $25 for 22 tickets or $60 for 55 tickets.

A private event for those with special needs is from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Thursday prior to the official start of the fest. Contact Rob Epley to take part in the private event.

Music schedule

This year's Saturday headliner is "Wild Thing" rapper Tone Loc with Maggie Speaks. Other musical acts include American English, Back Country Roads, Plainfield native Eric Chesser and more.

Friday, July 19 (entry is $5 after 5 p.m.) - Country night

• 6:30 p.m. Back Country Roads
• 9:30 p.m. Eric Chesser

Saturday, July 20

• 1-2:30 p.m. Power Outage
• 3-5 p.m. American English
• 6-8 p.m. 7th Heaven
• 9 p.m.-midnight Maggie Speaks w/Tone Loc

Food vendors

Here's this year's lineup of food vendors, according to organizers:

Bags tournament

The popular Window World Midwest Bags Tournament returns to Plainfield Fest this year on Sunday, July 21, but registration is open now. Registration costs $60 per team, and a maximum of 80 teams can register.

"This Corn Hole Tourney has become a 'MUST PLAY' attracting players from all over the country, and is now one of the largest in the area," fest organizers said on Facebook. "We are also proud to share that a portion of this tournament's proceeds will go towards the local not-for-profit Help Save Pets."
Organizers said $10 from every entry fee goes to Help Save Pets. Teams can register on the Plainfield Fest website.

Teams will be competing for a total of $8,000 in cash prizes, and each team will be guaranteed to play a minimum of six games. Read more about the eighth annual Midwest Bags Tournament at Plainfield Fest.

Best Pizza contest

The Best Pizza contest returns from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, with Vita Bella fighting to keep its spot as reigning champ.

Contestants include Marco's Pizza, Giovan's Jr. Pasta & Pizzeria and Fat Ricky's. Tickets are $5 per person, which allows attendees to sample pizza and cast their votes.

Duck race

You can also support the Plainfield Rotary Club by stopping by their booth and purchasing ducks as part of their Ducks For Bucks duck race, set for 10 a.m. Sunday

Traffic, road closing, parking info

In preparation for Plainfield Fest, road closings will start at 5 p.m. Thursday, according to Plainfield police.

These closings will be in place until the morning of Monday, July 22:

• Des Plaines Street between Chicago Street and Main Street; limited access for residents north of Oak Street
• Chicago Street between Illinois and Fox River Streets. A checkpoint for Handicapped parking and local permits will be located at Illinois Street and Chicago Street.
• Fox River Street between Lockport Street and Ottawa Street. Residents of Fox River Street will have access and on street parking will be limited to permits.

Lockport Street will not close on Thursday, but will be closed from Route 59 to James Street starting at 6 a.m. Friday.

Parking is available at Plainfield Central High School and the municipal parking lot next to the Plainfield Library on Illinois Street. Handicapped parking will be available on Chicago Street between Illinois Street and Des Plaines Street, Lockport Street west of Fox River Street and Fox River Street south of Lockport Street. Additional parking will be available at Riverfront Park and at Plainfield Village Hall.