PrairieFest Is This Weekend: See What Streets Will Be Congested

OSWEGO, IL — Oswego's four-day community celebration PrairieFest is just days away, and festivities are seemingly endless.

PrairieFest Park, at 91 Plank Road, will serve as the main festival grounds for the event, happening Thursday through Sunday. A full schedule of events can be found on the Oswegoland Park District-hosted event's website, but a few highlights include a carnival, Rock-N-Circus show, Expo Village, a car show and a few live musical performances.

Traditionally held on Father's Day weekend, PrairieFest is returning to its usual schedule after it was held at the beginning of September in 2021 and canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Ahead of the community's beloved festival, locals and out-of-towners should prepare for delays and extra congestion throughout Oswego.

Drivers should expect delays on the following roads:

• Illinois Route 71 between US Route 34 and Forrest Avenue
• Plainfield Road between Illinois Route 71 and Woolley Road
• Madison, Washington and Main streets in downtown Oswego

Police said the three roads will be particularly crowded between 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday due to the PrairieFest Parade. To avoid congestion, police are encouraging drivers not attending to use alternate routes.

Parking will be available in a few spots throughout town, including at the District 308 Transportation Center, with access off Stonehill Road; at Oswego High School, in the north and south lots; and at the Oswegoland Park District soccer fields.