St. Gerald Fest and Carnival 2024: What You Need To Know

OAK LAWN, IL — Live music, good food, big rides and a variety of games of skill and chance will highlight this year’s edition of St. Gerald Fest and Carnival, 9310 S. Central Ave.. Oak Lawn (93rd Street and Central Avenue). The parish carnival runs for four fun-filled days, Aug. 8 through Aug. 11

Presented by the St. Gerald Holy Name Society, mega-passes good for rides on all four days can still be purchased online in advance through 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, for $75 at Innovative Ticketing. The price goes up to $100 when purchased during the carnival, cash sales only. Present your printout voucher or show a digital copy on your phone at the Modern Midways ticket booth. There are no single day tickets being offered 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.

Bingo, pull tabs and other raffles offer fest goers a chance to win some great prizes and cash. The carnival committee has also lined up some great bands appearing in the beer garden and tent.
Proceeds from the carnival will help support the parish elementary school. Keep up with St. Gerald Fest and Carnival happenings on Facebook.

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. Two early bird drawings with prizes of $250 each will be pulled on Sept. 3. Winners can apply winnings to St. Gerald School tuition credits. The drawing will take place Sunday, Sept. 27.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 St. Gerald Fest and Carnival:

Thursday, August 8

Carnival Hours: 5 to 10 p.m.
Beer Garden: 5 to 11 p.m.
Bingo: 6 to 9 p.m.
Band: The Walk-ins, 7 to 10 p.m.

Friday, August 9

Carnival Hours: 5 to 11 p.m.
Beer Garden: 5 p.m. to midnight
Bingo: 6 to 10 p.m.
Band: Hoodwink’d, 8 to 11 p.m.

Saturday, August 10

Carnival Hours: 1 to 11 p.m.
Beer Garden: noon to midnight
Bingo: 6 to 10 p.m.
Bands: Timeline, 3 to 7 p.m.; Dancing Noodles, 8 to 11 p.m.

Sunday, August 11

Carnival Hours: 1 to 10 p.m.
Beer Garden: noon to 10 p.m.
Bingo: 5 to 8 p.m.
Bands: Block Party, 3 to 6 p.m.; Five Guys Named Moe, 7 to 10 p.m.