RomeoFest Kicks Off Thursday

Get ready, Romeoville. This year’s RomeoFest will kick off at its new location at 5 p.m. Thursday, offering live entertainment, food, carnival rides and more.

This year, the event will shift slightly west. While the carnival will still be located on the Romeoville Recreation Center grounds, the new will be the site of the bulk of the festivities, including bands, children’s entertainment, food vendors, a beverage garden, Bingo, a craft show and shuttle bus services.

The shuttle will run from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Revelers can catch the shuttle bus from the following locations during the fest:

• Carillon Clubhouse, 2100 S. Carillon, Plainfield
• Grand Haven Clubhouse, 1520 Grandhaven, Romeoville

Mega Pass, carnival info

Tomorrow is not only the first day of the fest — it’s also the last chance for parents looking to save on carnival rides.

Mega Passes, good for unlimited rides during the four-day fest, are on sale for $40 at the Romeoville Recreation Center through the end of the day Wednesday. On Thursday, the price jumps to $55, and Mega Passes can be purchased only at the carnival from 5 to 10 p.m. After that, no more passes will be sold. All passes must be purchased with cash.

For the first time, the village will charge a $5 carnival admission fee to patrons age 11 and older. The fee does not apply to Mega Pass holders or parents accompanied by their children. Kids ages 10 and under get in for free.

Entertainment abounds

This year, the amphitheater will provide the venue for live music ranging from classic rock to country and tribute bands.

Country band Chasin’ Mason will be featured from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday. From 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Infinity, a Journey tribute band, will perform. Saturday night’s entertainment will feature Run 4 Covers from 5 to 7 p.m., and Sixteen Candles, a band that specializes in ‘80s music, from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. The weekend wraps up with a show from Seventh Heaven from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday. The show will be capped by a 9:15 p.m. fireworks display.

Other fest entertainment and activities:

• Craft show: noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the municipal center grounds
• Food booths/beer garden: open 5 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday; 5 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9:30 p.m. Sunday
• Carnival hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Tennis tournament: singles, 9 a.m. Saturday; doubles, 10 a.m. Saturday
• Men’s softball tournament: 8 a.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. Sunday
• Adult bean bag tournament: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday in the beer garden
• Fireworks finale: 9:15 p.m. Sunday at

For a complete schedule of events, click HERE.