Ride On and Rock Out at the 13th annual Fall Fest, September 16-18

Fall Fest, Des Plaines’ favorite family-friendly festival, is back for the thirteen year, with food, music, fun, games, and dozens of activities. Lake Park, at 2200 Lee Street, will once again be transformed into a lakefront wonderland where kids of all ages can ride the giant Ferris wheel and climb the rock wall, feed the animals in the petting zoo, chow down on corn dogs and feast on funnel cakes, and enjoy a variety of family entertainers as well as 10 great local and national touring bands.

The popular event, which was created for the community by the Des Plaines Park District, the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce and the Des Plaines History Center, takes place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 16–18, with free admission, free parking, and free concerts every day. Fall Fest is once again generously presented by Rivers Casino.

Fall Fest features a full carnival with dozens of rides and games, and all your favorite carnival eats. The KidZone! is where you’ll find the rock-climbing wall, the petting zoo, lots of great kids & family entertainment, face painting, and interactive activities that are perfect for parents & tots. At the Des Plaines History Center Exhibit Tent, you may talk to costumed historical reenactors, and see the history of Des Plaines unfold in detailed displays.

Local and area restaurants showcase their most delicious festival foods and refreshing beverages. This year, some tasty specialties from Blackhawk BBQ & Seafood, Charcoal Delights, E.J. Pierogi Truck, Illusions Café, Johnny and Tess, Midwest City Smashers, Rep’s Place, Restaurant Mexico, RS Concessions, The Curious Crow Food Truck, Tri Café, and Triple Scoop’d Ice Cream. Families can relax and eat in the dining tent, which is just steps away from the main entertainment stage.

Kids and families are the focus of Fall Fest. Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5pm there are unlimited carnival rides for $25 per person. The KidZone! is open Saturday and Sunday until 7:00pm. On Sunday from 10:00am until 2:00pm at the Lakeview Center on Howard Avenue there’s a custom car show that’s open to classics, antiques, American muscle cars, and hot rods.

Make sure to visit our sponsors that make this event possible including our Presenting Sponsor Rivers Casino, our Community Sponsors Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, as well as our many Activity Sponsors.

Free parking is available courtesy of our neighbors at Abbott (corner of Touhy and Lee) and 1350 E. Touhy, as well as at Lakeview Center (Lee and Howard).

Opening Friday night at 6:30pm the Hillbilly Rockstarz bring the sounds of country and rock to the Main Stage, and headlining at 9:00 you'll party to local favorites ­Radio Gaga.

Saturday, see The MacKenzie O’Brien Band at noon and NEWSKI & the NoTomorrow at 2:00pm; Generation is featured at 4:15pm, and 52nd Street plays the music of Billy Joel at 6:30pm. Arra headlines at 9:00pm with the best of classic rock.

Gen Fuze performs at noon on Sunday, followed by 7th Heaven rockin' your 80s favorites at 2:15pm. Joe Bachman Band headlines at 5:15pm to close out the entertainment for this year.

Bring the whole family to beautiful Lake Park and enjoy every day of this great annual festival. www.FallFestDesPlaines.com