Festival of the Fox Takes Place of Riverfest With New Attractions, Focus on Dragon Boat Races

Photo credit: Festival of the Fox website

ST. CHARLES, IL - Riverfest had been a tradition in St. Charles for 33 years but this year, the festival has not only gotten a new name, Festival of the Fox, but will include some new attractions, and the absence of others, as organizers decided the festival needed to take on a new direction.

Financial constraints forced organizers to rethink the four-day festival, which will run from June 9 through 12 with the majority of the events and attractions taking place in Pottawotomie Park, said event organizer Vanessa Bell-LaSota. Organizers hope the central location will be a welcome change for many. In past years, the festival has included events and attractions in as many as nine different locations across the city.

The festival will not have a beer garden this year. Festival organizers also decided to steer away from as much night-time “Rock ‘n Roll-type concerts” as part of their rebranding effort and have instead focused on the Dragon Boat races, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, as being the highlight of the festival, Bell-LaSota said. The dragon boat races kick off at 9 a.m. with the “Awakening of the Dragon” ceremony. Races will follow at 9:30 a.m. and will continue until 6 p.m. on Saturday and will run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

“The boats that we are racing actually come from China. And our races are the only dragon boat races in this region of the state,” Bell-LaSota said.

There still will be one evening concert on Thursday with TrioLife playing from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Lincoln Park, 450 W. Main St.

New this year, a family movie night will be held on Saturday starting at 8 p.m. Finding Nemo will be shown on a 20-foot screen at Pottowatomie. Popcorn will be given out for free to the first 500 movie-goers and 100 Chinese lanterns will also be handed out during the festival.

Chinese culture, in keeping with the tradition of Dragon-boat racing, will be highlighted during different parts of the festival. A picnic in the park will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pottawatomie Park Pavilion Dock and 100 kids will get a free dragon kite and flying lessons. Dragon picnic blankets will be available for purchase with all donations going to Project Mobility.

“We are hoping to develop a cultural aspect to this festival,” Bell-LaSota said.

During the picnic in the park, there will also be giant lawn games, like Connect 4, and food and drink available for purchase from Dave’s Slow Food BBQ, Bettina’s Iced Tea, Brewing 164 Natural Sodas and more.

The festival will also include a special needs family day from 12 to 2 p.m. on Friday and a carnival with carnival rides will continue, as has been the tradition in past years, to be located on Route 31 at State Street.

Here is a look at the full schedule of events:

Thursday, June 9

Windy City Carnival

1 to 10 p.m.

Unlimited Ride Special $25 – Windy City Carnival

5 to 10 p.m.

Festival of the Fox Concert in the Park – “TrioLife” at Lincoln Park

6:30 to 8 p.m.

Friday, June 10

Special Needs Family Day – Windy City Carnival

12 to 2 p.m.

Windy City Carnival

12 to 11 p.m.

Unlimited Ride Special $25 – Windy City Carnival

2 to 6 p.m.

Saturday, June 11

Festival Ribbon Cutting at Pottawatomie Park Pavilion Dock

8:45 a.m.

Awakening The Dragon Ceremony at Pottawatomie Park Pavilion Dock

9 a.m.

Dragon Boat Racing at Pottowatomie Park

9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Picnic in the Park at Pottawatomie Park Pavilion Dock

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Windy City Carnival

12 to 11 p.m.

Family Movie Night – Finding Nemo at Pottawatomie Park

8 to 10 p.m.

Sunday, June 12

Dragon Boat Opening Ceremony at Pottawatomie Park

8 to 8:30 a.m.

Dragon Boat Racing at Pottawatomie Park

8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Picnic in the Park at Pottawatomie Park Pavilion Dock

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Windy City Carnival

12 to 10 p.m.

Wonder Lake Water Ski Show at Pottawatomie Park

1 to 2 p.m.

Get more information on the Fesival of the Fox website and Facebook page