No Keepataw Days this Year

A 65-year Lemont tradition has seemingly come to an end—at least for now.

Keepataw Days Festival and parade will not be held this year, as the non-profit group responsible for it in the past said can no longer fund the festival.

A drop in attendance in recent years and an overall lack of funding means the group can no longer put on the festival, Mayor Reaves announced at a December Village Board meeting, and Village Administrator George Schafer confirmed at an August 11 meeting.

“It breaks my heart to have to do it,” said Wendy Peebles, one of the organizers, late last year.

The festival was typically held over Labor Day weekend. Inclement weather in the most recent years impacted attendance, Peebles said. Other attempts to supplement funds brought in by the most recent festival—including an Infinity concert Dec. 13 and a family fun festival this summer—fell short.

“We tried for three years,” Peebles said, referring to the time since the Lemont Jaycees handed the festival over to them. “We tried to keep the dream alive, but we just can’t do it.”