PrairieFest Is This Weekend: What To Expect

OSWEGO, IL — Father's Day weekend means the return of PrairieFest in Oswego.

The festival will occur across Oswego, but the main grounds are at PrairieFest Park, 91 Plank Road. It'll run from 4-11 p.m. Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 1-6 p.m. Sunday.

To many, a highlight of the Oswegoland Park District-hosted event is the carnival that runs all four days adjacent to Oswego High School. But it's not the only activity on the docket. Visitors can also visit Expo Village, pet animals at the petting zoo, ride ponies, and hear a variety of live music each day. A 5K race and a one-mile jog are also planned for Father's Day.

A map of festival grounds can be found on the PrairieFest website.

On Sunday, the beloved PrairieFest Parade will proceed through downtown Oswego. Stepping off at 1 p.m. at the intersection of Garfield Street and Jefferson Street, floats will travel down Jefferson Street to Main Street and later turn onto Tyler Street before ending at the intersection of Washington and Franklin streets.

The annual festivities — parade, carnival and all — are expected to bring large crowds to Oswego, police said.

Over the weekend, drivers should expect delays on the following streets and consider avoiding them if they're not attending the festival.

• Route 71 between Route 34 and Forest Avenue
• Plainfield Road between Route 71 and Woolley Road
• Madison, Washington and Main streets in the downtown Oswego area
• In the downtown area between 1 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday due to the PrairieFest Parade

Parking for PrairieFest activities will be available at the following locations:

• District 308 Transportation Center parking lot with access from 55 Stonehill Road
• Oswego High School (south and north lots)
• Park District soccer fields