St. Gerald Fest and Carnival 2023: What You Need To Know

OAK LAWN, IL — Nothing says summer more than a South Side parish carnival. St. Gerald Fest and Carnival is back for four fun-filled days, Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 10 to Aug. 13 at the corner of 55th Court and 93rd Street in Oak Lawn. Festgoers will find rides, games, bingo, children’s activities, live music and a beer garden

Mega-passes offering unlimited rides for all four days of the carnival can be purchased in advance through InnovativeTicketing for $75 until 5 p.m. CT Thursday, Aug. 10; or $100 during the carnival. Use the QR code below for the link. If your kid is under 36-inches tall, then a mega pass may not be for you. Individual ride tickets will be available during the carnival. Present your printout voucher or show a digital copy on your phone at the Modern Midways ticket booth. Sorry, no daily rides passes are being sold this year.

Rides and amusements are provided by Dyer, IN-based Modern Midways. A tentative list of attractions include: a vertigo 100’ tall tower swing; the Hangover, Tornado, Zero Gravity and the big gondola Ferris wheel. For the little kiddos, Modern Midways will be toting the Motorcycle Race, Tea Cups, super slide, Puppy Roll and Quad Runner.

The Dukes Italian Beef and Los Friends Tacosfood trucks will be selling food, plus the usual carnival fare for your funnel cake cravings.

The St. Gerald carnival committee has also lined up some great bands, including Bingo, pull tabs and other raffles offer fest goers a chance to win some great prizes and cash. Parishioners are also on a mission from God to sell 1,500 tickets for the big parish raffle. Tickets are $50 each, or 3 for $100, and can be purchased from a volunteer during the carnival. Prizes include a $10,000 grand prize, with additional cash prizes of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000. Winners can apply winnings to St. Gerald School tuition credits. The drawing will take place Sunday, Sept. 18.

Proceeds from the carnival will help support the parish elementary school. Keep up with St. Gerald Fest and Carnival happenings on Facebook.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 St. Gerald Fest and Carnival:

Thursday, August 10

Carnival Hours: 5 to 10 p.m.
Beer Garden: 5 to 11 p.m.
Bingo: 6 to 9 p.m.
Band: Don’t Talk To Strangers, 7 p.m.

Friday, August 11

Carnival Hours: 5 to 11 p.m.
Beer Garden: 5 p.m. to midnight
Bingo: 6 to 10 p.m.
Band: Six2Six, 7 p.m.

Saturday, August 12

Carnival Hours: 1 to 11 p.m.
Beer Garden: noon to midnight
Bingo: 6 to 10 p.m.
Bands: Bad Hand, noon; West Madison Kings, 4 p.m.; Dancing Noodles, 8 p.m.

Sunday, August 13

Carnival Hours: 1 to 10 p.m.
Beer Garden: noon to 10 p.m.
Bingo: 5 to 8 p.m.
Bands: Jerek and Karen, 12:30 p.m.; Coax & Folks, 3:30 p.m.; Walk-Ins, 7:30 p.m.