Plainfield Fest 2018: Saturday Lineup Includes 1985 Bears Champs

PLAINFIELD, IL — It's that time of year again. For the 37th year, the three-day Plainfield Fest will return to downtown Plainfield Friday through Sunday, July 20, 21 and 22. And for the second year, carnival rides and kids attractions will be located at nearby Plainfield High School - Central Campus, 24120 W. Fort Beggs Drive.

Last year, the fest set a record with more than 15,000 guests, and this year is expected to have a similar turnout.

Potential storms are in the forecast for Friday and Saturday, so keep an eye on the weather.

Want more fun? Summer Festival Guide 2018: Will And Kendall County

Here's what you need to know about Plainfield Fest 2018, which will include live music, the best pizza contest, food, rides, games, a meet and greet with 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl champs Dan Hampton and Steve "Mongo" McMichael, plus the annual Midwest Bags Tournament.

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The basics

Hours

• 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 20
• 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, July 21
• Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 22

Parking, road closings

These road closings will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday and last until around 5 a.m. Monday, July 23:

• Lockport Street between Illinois Street and James Street will be completely closed to all traffic. Lockport Street between Illinois Street and Route 59 will be closed to westbound traffic.
• Des Plaines Street between Ottawa Street and Main Street will be closed. There will be limited access for residents north of Oak Street.
• Chicago Street between Illinois Street and Fox River Street will be closed. 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 will be closed. Residents of Fox River Street will have access and on street parking will be limited to permits.

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.

Carnival

Carnival hours are:

• 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday
• 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday
• Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday

Pricing (rides range from 2 to 4 coupons per person)

• 1 coupon: $1.25
• 22 coupons: $25
• 55 coupons: $60
• All-day wristbands: Sunday only, $25

Live music lineup

Friday on the Busey Bank Music Stage:

• 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Gruband
• 9 p.m. to midnight: Semple

Saturday on the Busey Bank Music Stage:

• Noon to 1:30 p.m. School of Rock
• 2 to 4 p.m. Reverend Hellbilly
• 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Burning Bridges
• 7 to 8:30 p.m. Curbside Island
• 9 p.m. to midnight: Maggie Speaks with special appearance by former Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears Dan Hampton and Steve "Mongo" McMichael

Bears champs Meet & Greet

Fans will have the opportunity to meet with Hampton and McMichael, members of the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears, on Saturday before they hit the stage with Maggie Speaks. Details:

• $50 per person (includes a beer/entertainment tent wristband, $20 beer ticket (5 drinks), appetizers from Tortilla Flatz and a VIP lanyard for the meet and greet.
• Guests must be at the front entrance of the tent by 8:45 p.m. for check in; meet and greet is from 9 to 10:15 p.m.
• Space limited (40 tickets available)
• One autograph item per person
• Sign up online

Beer/entertainment tent FYI

• $5 wristband charge during the day for anyone consuming alcohol
• Wristbands required to enter the beer tent (no exceptions) after 5 p.m. Friday and after 4 p.m. Saturday
• No children permitted in the beer tent after 5 p.m.
• No pets, no chairs
• Bag check at the entrance of the beer tent

Bags tournament

The popular Midwest Bags Tournament will be back at noon Sunday, July 22. Here's how it works:

• $60 per team (male, female or co-ed) to enter
• Registration is online on a first come, first served basis
• Once registration is closed, a team can be added by emailing bags@plainfieldfest.org
• Pool play format guarantees each team four games
• Championship bracket is double elimination, consolation bracket is single elimination
• Prizes based on 80 teams: Championship bracket $1,000, $700, $400, $250, $150 (fifth and sixth), $100 (seventh and eighth), $50 (ninth-12th); consolation bracket payouts are $150, $100 and $50

Best pizza contest

The popular event returns for the sixth year from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 22. What you need to know:

• Cost is $5 per person to sample pizza from each contestant and cast your vote
• This year's competitors are Beggars Pizza, Big Pauly's Wood Fired Pizza, CiCi's Pizza, Rosati's and Vita Bella.
• Line up starts at 1:30 p.m., so get there early

Good to know

As always, craft and business vendors (around 100 of them) will be in downtown Plainfield, while the carnival will be at Plainfield Central. The Village Green will be set up as a transition area with the splash pad going, Plainfield Park District activities and a petting zoo. Pathways will be designated leading between the festival and the carnival.

Fest fans can stay up to date by checking the Plainfield Fest website and Facebook page. You can also follow along with the Plainfield Fest countdown.

And remember, it's all for a great cause.

"The (Plainfield) Riverfront Foundation will again be the lead organizing entity behind Plainfield Fest, with proceeds to benefit the continued clean-up, revitalization & redevelopment of the Plainfield Riverfront aka – West Electric Park," Plainfield Fest Chairman Rob Epley told Patch earlier this year.

Patch file photo by Shannon Antinori