Plainfield Fest Will Continue Despite Unhealthy Air Quality: Organizers

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield Fest is back this weekend, and the three-day festival and carnival will continue despite unhealthy air quality, organizers told Patch.

The popular festival, hosted by the nonprofit Plainfield Riverfront Foundation as its main fundraiser, is returning Friday through Sunday.

"Where we're at now, it's almost impossible to cancel unless we really have to," Plainfield Riverfront Foundation President Margie Bonuchi said Friday morning.

Bonuchi said reports she received indicated rain is forecast Friday night, which "would wash a lot of [the smoke] out," she said.

Wildfire smoke continues to impact the Chicago area Friday, creating dangerous conditions, before wind pushes the smoke northeastward, according to the National Weather Service.

As of Friday morning, the Air Quality Index in Plainfield was over 300, falling in the "dangerous" level, according to AirNow. The level is expected to drop to "moderate" Saturday.

But wildfire smoke could return Saturday evening and continue into Sunday, according to the weather service.

"If the event goes forward, residents should decide whether or not they think they should go and be safe," Mayor John Argoudelis said. "Each individual resident has the ability to determine for themselves whether they should attend this or not."

Argoudelis noted that the village does not have any direct control over the event, so the mayor or staff cannot order organizers to change or modify plans.

RELATED: Breathing Wildfire Smoke Equal To Smoking 9 Cigarettes In Chicago Area: Doctor

New Fest Location

The big change to the festival this year is it's taking place at Gregory B. Bott Park — not downtown. The park is at 24550 West Renwick Road near the Prairie Activity & Recreation Center.

The new location merges everything — including the carnival, beer garden and live music stages — into one location, whereas in 2025, the carnival was set up at Plainfield Central High School, away from other areas of the festival.

RELATED: Plainfield Fest Moves Away From Downtown: 'It Was Too Spread Out'

This is what's planned for Plainfield Fest:

• Carnival: 5-10 p.m. Friday, 1-10 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday. Wristbands will cost $5.
• Craft and Vendor Show: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
• Midwest Bags Tournament: Beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday
• Food Court: 5 p.m. to midnight July 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
• Petting zoo and pony rides: 1:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday
• Bounce house, face painting, balloon animals and kids' games: Throughout the day Saturday and Sunday

These bands will perform:

• Riplock: 7-9:30 p.m. Friday
• Nashville Electric Company: 10 p.m. to midnight Friday
• School of Rock: 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday
• Olivia Minoque: 3-4:30 p.m. Saturday
• Blackberry Jam: 5-7 p.m. Saturday
• Friday at Five Band: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday
• Hi Fidelity: 10 p.m. to midnight Saturday
• Rick Lindy and The Wild Ones: 2:30 p.m. Sunday
• Soda: 3-5 p.m. Sunday