Summer Carnival To Kick Off The Season In Oswego

OSWEGO, IL — Father's Day is right around the corner and to celebrate, the Oswegoland Park District is presenting the Summer Carnival from June 17 to 20 at Prairie Point Community Park.

The Summer Carnival is taking place instead of the annual PrairieFest, which is traditionally held Father's Day weekend but had to be postponed to Labor Day weekend in September this year due to the pandemic.

"We're starting to see some strange benefits to taking a year and modifying everything, and one of them is having two weekends to celebrate as a community," said Kristie Vest, superintendent of events and cultural arts. "We're going to wrap it up with a bow at PrairieFest."

This will be the village's first Summer Carnival, and PrairieFest will make its return to Father's Day weekend in 2022. While the carnival won't be back at the same time next summer, Vest said it's possible the park district could add a second event to its roster for a different weekend next year.

Related: PrairieFest Moved To September Amid Pandemic

She said the park district is "very responsive to what the community responds to," so she said this weekend will like a "litmus test" for possible future events.

"We're anticipating a busy weekend with happy people that want to get out," Vest said.

Windy City Amusements, the same group that works with PrairieFest, is bringing the rides and games to the upcoming carnival. Traditional carnival foods, funnel cakes included, will be available, but Vest said there won't be other food stands or music.

"This is particularly nice because this is something we're doing for our community and it's in walking distance from many of our neighborhoods," Vest said.

The carnival, which will be located at 4120 Plainfield Road, will be open for various hours over the weekend. It'll take place from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, 4-10 p.m. Friday, 1-10 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday. Passes for unlimited rides can be purchased for $25-30, depending on the day.

The Oswegoland Park District recommends that those who are unvaccinated should wear face coverings in crowded areas. Sanitizing stations will be available at rides, and equipment will be cleaned daily.

The carnival will be cash only, according to its website, but there will be an ATM available on site.