PrairieFest, Kendall Country’s largest festival is back June 13-16, 2024. Presented by the Oswegoland Park District, the fest kicks off summer with a community celebration over Father’s Day weekend.
Free concerts from national, regional, and local bands, along with entertaining, family-friendly performances are the highlight of the weekend, and this year’s lineup continues the tradition. PrairieFest has been delighting the crowds with music and entertainment all weekend long.
PrairieFest kicks off Thursday, June 13 with the the impressive vocal choirs of local high schools and highlights more local musicians with the PrairieWinds Community Concert, a PrairieFest tradition for musicians in our area. These terrific performances will serve as a great lead in to the Thursday night band, The Ron Burgundys. This Chicagoland Yacht Rock favorite won’t stop until the entire PrairieFest Park crowd is singing along to Africa by Toto.
Local band Ethan Bell and the Cowboy Co Country Music Show will open up Friday, June 14. At 9pm, the PrairieFest Main Stage will host Country Music star Deana Carter. The 5 time platinum album artist will thrill the crowd with her number one hit and 1997 Grammy Single of the Year “Strawberry Wine”, and other hits like, “And We Danced Anyway”, “How Do I Get There”, and “Count Me In”.
For Saturday, Oswego’s favorite Jeff and Kurt’s Acoustic Refreshment will open the day. Next, Chicago’s Best Pop Punk cover band, There Goes The Neighborhood pumps up the crowd with hits from Blink-182, Green Day, Fall Out Boy, and Sum 41. Headlining Saturday night will be one of Billboard’s 100 Greatest Alternative Artists of All Time and “100 Greatest Alternative Songs of All Time”. The Artists behind “Good”, “Desperately Wanting”, and “King of New Orleans”, Better Than Ezra will take the PrairieFest Main Stage Saturday, June 15 at 9pm.
Father’s Day continues the fun. The day will begin with the PrairieFest 5K and Prairie Dog Jog. The PrairieFest parade steps off at 1pm and will entertain thousands along Oswego’s Main Street. The last band of the weekend will not disappoint with American English, the seminal Beatles tribute band playing the park on Father’s Day, June 16 at 4pm.
Throughout PrairieFest there are activities and events for everyone. The ThrillABLE Inclusive Family Carnival event for families who would enjoy the carnival with modifications will be Thursday, June 13 from 3-5pm. Friday begins as a great day for kiddos with the Wheels Go Round Touch a Truck event from 10am – Noon. Fun for everyone continues Saturday with the Cotton Candy eating contest.
With the help of generous business partners, PrairieFest continues to offer outstanding entertainment. PrairieFest weekend is always entertaining and this year’s schedule delivers on the tradition again. Those looking to rescue a dog at the Prairie Paws Pet Adoption event, market their wares at the PrairieFest Expo Village, or march in the parade are encouraged to contact festival director Kristie Vest at (630) 554-4425 or by email at kvest@oswegolandpd.org.
You can also get the latest festival information at www.prairiefest.com. See you at the Fest!
PrairieFest 2024 Lineup At-A-Glance
Thursday, June 13
- ThrillABLE Inclusive Family Carnival
- Prairie Winds Community Band Concert
- PrairieFest Princesses
- The Ron Burgundys, PrairieFest Main Stage
Friday, June 14
- Wheels Go Round Touch a Truck event
- Deana Carter, and Ethan Bell and the Cowboy co Country Music Show, PrairieFest Main Stage
Saturday, June 15
- Fishing Clinic at Chesterfield Park
- Jeff and Kurt’s Acoustic Refreshment, There Goes The Neighborhood, and Better Than Ezra, PrairieFest Main Stage
Sunday, June 16
- PrairieFest 5K and One Mile Prairie Dog Jog, Prairie Point Center
- PrairieFest Parade
- PrairieFest Car Show, PrairieFest Park
- American English, PrairieFest Main Stage
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- PrairieFest Expo Village
- Pony Rides
- Petting Zoo
- Windy City Amusements Carnival
- Quilt Show, Little White School Museum