Everything You Need to Know about Frankfort Fall Fest 2015

Photo: Volunteers raised the Fall Fest flag Tuesday evening at Breidert Green.

Artisans and crafters from around the country—and hundreds of thousands of visitors—are headed to the Frankfort Fall Festival over Labor Day Weekend.

The days-long festival themed “What’s Cookin’ Frankfort” features crafts, live music, local eats, and family fun, beginning with the carnival opening Wednesday at 5 p.m., and ending Monday at 5 p.m.

More than 300 juried artisans will display their wares Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fest includes artists from Frankfort, Homer Glen, Homewood, Lockport, Manhattan, Mokena, Monee, New Lenox, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Palos Park and Tinley Park.

Activities take place around Kansas and Oak streets throughout downtown Frankfort , so spend a day (or several) ambling through to check it out.

A few things to keep in mind:

• No animals allowed at Fall Fest (yes, even dogs). Many people packed into a small area, combined with high temperatures make for a place not exactly pet-friendly. Leave the pups at home.
• BETA tent entrance Saturday through Monday is free before noon, $2 from noon to 6 p.m. and kids are free during that time. Price increases to $5 after 6 p.m., and no one under 21 allowed at that point.
• Frankfort Fall Festival Information Booth will be located near the center of the Festival at Kansas and Oak streets. Volunteers will be available to answer all your questions regarding the Frankfort community and the Frankfort Fall Festival.
• Free shuttle service is available at both parking lots (see below for location). The shuttle stop is located in the downtown area at Elwood and White streets. Shuttle buses will run on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m until 8 p.m, and Monday from 9 a.m until 6 p.m.

Check out a schedule of all the Can’t Miss activities:

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2

• 5 p.m.: Carnival opens. Closes at 9 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 3

• 5 to 9 p.m.: Carnival. Check here for ride ticket pricing. Pay One Price wristband applicable all hours.
• 6 to 10:30 p.m.: Frankfort Lions Club Wurst Festival: A traditional German Fest and the club’s largest annual fundraiser, the fest-within-a-fest features Peter from the Bier Stube as the evening’s entertainment and German-themed food from Chef Klaus Bier Stube. The menu includes thuringer and brat platters with potato salad, sauerkraut and bread with the option to purchase an ear of corn and apple strudel for dessert. Tickets are $20 in advance for two adults, or $25 at the gate for two adults, and you are automatically entered to win a Grand Raffle Prize of $10,000 or six otherraffle prizes in smaller amounts (winners need not be present). Funds raised go to the club’s special projects, organizations and efforts that help the community. For more info, find the Lions on Facebook or visit their website.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 4

• 3 to 5 p.m.: Carnival. Special Needs Day.
• 7:30 to 11 p.m. Five Guys Named Moe performs (BETA tent). Admission is $5.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 5

• 9:45 a.m.: Fest ribbon cutting ceremony, Breidert Green stage.
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m: Craft fair
• 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: “Jazz Time Quintet” performs, Breidert Green stage.
• 11 a.m.: Chef demos begin, Elmwood and N. Oak St.
• Noon to 9:30 p.m.: Carnival
• 1 to 5 p.m.: ”Leadfoot” performs (BETA tent)
• 2 to 4:30 p.m.: “Phylis Renee Marconi” performs, Breidert Green stage
• 7 to 10 p.m.: “Midlife Crisis” performs (BETA tent)

SUNDAY, SEPT. 6

• 10 a.m.: Craft vendors open
• 11 a.m.: Chef demos begin, Elmwood and N. Oak St.
• 11 a.m.: “Briggs Street Band”, Breidert Green stage
• Noon: Carnival opens
• 1 p.m.: Frankfort Fall Festival parade. Steps off near the Borg Warner parking lot and travels on Pacific, Oak, Utah, Ash and Nebraska, before returning to Locust Street.
• 1 p.m.: “Timing’s Everything” performs (BETA tent)
• 2 p.m.: “Beyond the Pale,” Breidert Green stage
• 7 p.m.: “Funhouse” performs (BETA tent)

MONDAY, SEPT. 7

• 10 a.m.: Craft vendors open
• 11 a.m.: Chef demos begin, Elmwood and N. Oak St.
• 11 a.m.: Down Home Guitars perform, Breidert Green stage
• Noon: Carnival opens
• Noon: “The Bishop’s Daredevils Stunt Club” performs (BETA tent)
• 2 p.m.: “Frankfort Brass Band” performs, Breidert Green stage
• 5 p.m.: Fest closes

PARKING

Lots sponsored by Frankfort Boy Scout Troop #270 and Peace Community Church

• The Peace Community Church lot is located approximately 1/2 mile south of Route 30 at 130 South Route 45 (La Grange Road). Paved lot. GPS: N 41 30.091, W 87 51.446

• The Boy Scout lot is located off of US Route 45, on West Nebraska Street, one mile south of US Route 30. Grassy Lot. $10 donation. GPS: N 41 29.866, W 87 51.725

BIKE CORRAL

The Old Town Homeowners Association will sponsor a bicycle corral for all of bicyclists and roller bladers who visit the Fall Festival by way of the Old Plank Trail. The corral offers a safe way to store your bicycles and roller blades. The bike corral is adjacent to Old Plank Trail right in the heart of downtown Frankfort near White Street. Watch for the signs. There will be a $2 donation for bikes and $1 for roller blades. The corral will be staffed from 9 a.m to 6 p.m on Saturday and Sunday. On Labor Day the corral will be staffed from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.

For a complete list of food offerings, entertainment, vendors and more, visit the Fall Fest website.