Summer Festival Guide 2018: Will And Kendall County

WILL COUNTY, IL — Memorial Day is right around the corner, heralding the unofficial start to the summer season of cookouts, trips to the beach, and local festivals and outdoor events. While the official first day of summer isn't until June 21, there's plenty to keep you and your kids busy once school comes to an end.

Here's a look at what's happening in Will and Kendall counties as things heat up:

Festivals

Burgers, Brews & Blues Festival

Kick off summer with craft beer, good food and music at The Promenade Bolingbrook from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 9 and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 10. Entertainment Saturday includes the Smiley Tillmon Band, Brother John Band, Cash Box Kings and Guy King. Sunday's lineup is the Kyle Young Band, Howard & The White Boys and Linsey Alexander. A wine tasting is also in the works.

Bolingbrook PRIDE Picnic and Puppies

Bolingbrook PRIDE is holding its first community picnic with art activities, pet adoption event, food, games, fellowship and more from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 10, at James S. Boan Woods, 410 N. Schmidt Road. The event offers "$2 puppy cuddles," children's storytime from the Fountaindale Public Library District, chalk art, LGBT resources and more.

Blues, Brews & BBQ

Set for 5:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 14 starting at Warehouse 109, 14903 S. Center St. in Plainfield. Enjoy food, live music, craft beer and more in support of a good cause, the PACC Career Readiness Scholarship Fund. Tickets prices range from $10 to $40. Three locations: Tailwinds Distilling, Warehouse 109 and Chicago Brew Werks.

PrairieFest

Hosted by the Oswegoland Park District, the four-day fest is June 14 to 17 at PrairieFest Park, 91 Plank Drive in Oswego. The free fest includes live music, food, a parade, petting zoo, gymnastics obstacle course, face painting, quilt show, pet adoption event, carnival and more. Carnival hours are from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Thursday's performers start with Oswego East High School, followed by the PrairieWinds Concert and Hi Infidelity at 7:30 p.m. Friday performers start with Dave Rudolf's Friday Family Concert at noon, followed by Plainfield School of Rock at 4:30 p.m., Red Woody at 7 p.m. and Blood, Sweat & Tears with Bo Bice at 9 p.m. On Saturday, the Fox River Academy of Music & Art performs at 1 p.m., followed by Fool House at 6:30 p.m. and Sugar Ray at 9 p.m. Sunday is Country Day, with Keith Anderson performing at 4:30 p.m.

Taste of Joliet

Friday, June 22, Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24 at Joliet's Memorial Stadium. On Friday and Saturday, tickets in advance are $11, otherwise it's $16 on the day. Sunday tickets are $5 in advance and $10 on that day. The major music acts for next month's Taste of Joliet are Dennis DeYoung and the Music of STYX at 7:45 p.m. Friday, June 22, followed by Rick Springfield around 9:30 p.m.

Saturday's music features Chase Rice at 7:30 p.m. followed by Brothers Osborne at 9 p.m. Sunday's music lineup includes Big Dog Mercer at 2 p.m. For more details about the Taste of Joliet's events, you can visit the Joliet Park District website here.

Plainfield Fest

Plainfield Fest returns the heart of downtown Plainfield on Des Plaines and Lockport streets for the 37th year on Friday through Sunday, July 20, 21 and 22 with live music, food, a bags tournament and a carnival. This year's hours are 4 p.m. to midnight July 20, 11 a.m. to midnight July 21 and noon to 6 p.m. July 22. Admission is free and concessions and drinks will be for sale. Carnival rides require tickets.

Friday's musical lineup starts at 6:30 p.m. with Gruband, followed by Semple at 9 p.m. On Saturday, School of Rock takes the stage at noon, followed by Reverend Hellbilly at 2 p.m., Burning Bridges at 4:30 p.m., Curbside Island at 7 p.m. and headliner Maggie Speaks with special appearances by Chicago Bears Super Bowl champs Dan Hampton and Steve "Mongo" McMichael at 9 p.m. There's a $5 cover charge after 5 p.m. for music and a $5 wristband charge for alcohol sales. No kids in live music area after 5 p.m.

The Midwest Bags Tournament returns at noon Sunday, July 22. Entry fee is $60 per team.

RomeoFest

The four-day celebration is from Aug. 2 to 5 at Deer Crossing Park and Village Park. As always, the fest offers up live entertainment, a carnival, car show, bingo and more. Carnival entry fees start at 5 p.m. A Mega Pass for unlimited rides is available for $45 cash or $47 credit/debit from July 5 to Aug. 1 and $50 (cash only) starting Aug. 2. Stay tuned for updates on this year's live music lineup.

Montgomery Fest

Montgomery Fest will offer special events including a carp derby, talent show, talent show, car show, beer booth, craft and business booths, live entertainment and a parade, lasting Aug. 10, Aug. 11 and Aug. 12. Stay tuned for updates.

Taste of Bolingbrook

Sample local fare at this free event on Saturday, Aug. 11, at The Promenade Bolingbrook.

Will County Fair

The 115th Will County Fair is from Aug. 22 to 26 at the Will County Fairgrounds, 710 W South St. in Peotone. Event and entertainment information will be updated on the fair website by July 1, so stay tuned.

Kendall County Fair

Celebrating 26 years at the Kendall County Fairgrounds, the event is from Aug. 2 to 5. Stay tuned for updates and a full schedule of events.

Shorewood Crossroads Fest

The annual event is from Aug. 3 to 5, at Cene's Four Season's Park, 25520 W. Seil Road, featuring a parade, car show, live music and more. A special needs event is set for 1 to 3 p.m. Friday for those in wheelchairs or with crowd and noise issues: "The rides will be slowed down a bit, lights and music will be turned off and 'friends for the day' will be provided to lend a helping hand to the families." Register for the special needs event by July 13. Contests include a baby contest, pie-eating contest, hot wing-eating contest and hot dog-eating contest. Live music includes South of 80 and Strung Out on Friday; Heart to Heartbreaker and Hi Infidelity on Saturday; and Brushville on Sunday.

Yorkville Hometown Days

This kicks off Friday, Aug. 31, lasting through Sunday, Sept. 2 in Beecher Community Park, 908 Game Farm Road. A schedule of events is coming soon, according to the United City of Yorkville, which had this to say about the fest: "The 2018 Hometown Days Festival is a family oriented event that provides entertainment the entire family can enjoy! We are excited to bring back again this year the past favorites such as the Pride and Joy Car Show, the Baby Contest, carnival, and live musical performances. We are currently working on the 2018 band schedule so please check back at a later date for more details. We are also excited to announce the return of a 2018 crowd favorite – The Ultimate Air Dogs Show!"

Free Concerts

Plainfield Concerts In The Park. June 14: Second Hand Soul; July 19: Final Say; Aug. 22: Billy Croft & The 5-Alarm. Free. Concerts start at 7 p.m. in Settlers' Park.

Rockin' The Ville, Romeoville. June 14: Boy Band Review; June 28: One of the Boyzz; July 12: Back Country Roads; July 26: Fletcher Rockwell; Aug. 9: Hair Band Night; Aug. 23: American English. Free. Concerts are at 7 p.m. in Deer Crossing Park.

Movies In The Park

Movie Under The Stars, Romeoville. June 11: "The Lion King;" July 9: "Greatest Showman." Free. Movies start at 8 p.m. at Deer Crossing Park.

Movies in the Park, Plainfield. June 8: "Despicable Me 3;" June 22: "The Lion King;" July 13: "Coco;" July 27 "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." Free. Movies start at 8:30 p.m. in Settlers' Park.

Farmers Markets

Plainfield Farmers Market, June 3 to Sept. 9.

Romeoville Open Air Market, June 6 to Sept. 12.

Yorkville Farmers Market, June 2 to Aug. 25.

Oswego Country Market, June 3 to Sept. 30.

Route 66 Street Market, Downtown Joliet, July 11 to Sept. 12.

Marketplace at The Promenade Bolingbrook, June 6 to Sept. 6.

Want more summer fun?

• Cruise Nights Return To Downtown Plainfield
• Joliet's 2018 Summer Events
• 2018 Guide To Summer Festivals In Lake County
• Free Concerts And Movies This Summer In Mokena
• Aurora Magic Festival Set To Debut June 9

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