PrairieFest Entertainment
Over Father’s Day weekend each June, the Oswegoland Park District brings you PrairieFest, “The Festival You Know By Heart”. The Our theme honors PrairieFest’s deep rooted traditions of this community’s annual summer celebration that occurs for four days over the summer.
Partnered with free parking and free admission, the PrairieFest schedule fills a great weekend. The 2019 line up will be released in January. Check out who entertained us last year in 2018 –
Thursday’s celebration began with the PrairieWinds Community Concert, a PrairieFest tradition for musicians in our area. This terrific performance served as a great lead in to the Thursday night band, Hi Infidelity. The grounds were filled with fans rocking out to their all 80’s playlist.
Accomplished Chicago-area musician, Dave Rudolf, lead our youngest concertgoers on a musical adventure at the Friday Family Concert on the PrairieFest main stage the next day.
Local band, Red Woody, kicked off Friday night. The band openned for the night’s headliner, Blood Sweat and Tears. This classic rock band known for “You’ve Made Me so Very Happy” and “Spinning Wheel,” featured American Idol alum Bo Bice. They had a great set with perfect sound. Bo Bice was vocally amazing.
With the help of generous business partners like 2018 PrairieFest Presenting Partner, First National Bank. Fool House, Chicago-area 90’s cover band was a rousing lead in for the night’s big act. Then on Saturday, June 16, after a two year wait, Sugar Ray hit the PrairieFest stage! Led by energetic frontman Mark McGrath, the group entertained with songs like, “Every Morning”, “Fly” and “When It’s Over”. Backstage, event staff was delighted to listen to the band harmonize together all throughout the afternoon. They were humble, kind, respectful, and clearly still in love with music. Those who came to the concert left feeling like they knew Mark McGrath. He chatted with the Oswego crowd frequently throughout their incredible set. Playing everything from Violent Femmes to Sugar Ray’s biggest hits, both the crowd in front, and those of us working the event behind the stage were charmed by these incredible musicians and friendly guys.
A sweltering hot Father’s Day featured Country Sunday in 2018. The 100 degree heat indices didn’t stop local band WhiskeyFist from playing a terrific set of hard hitting country hits. National country artist, Keith Anderson closed out PrairieFest 2018 with his hits Podunk, XXL, and Pickin’ Wildflowers. With the heat of the day, it was a smaller crowd that stayed for such a hot concert. Mr. Anderson was amazing, and showed such generosity. After the concert, he came out front for handshakes and pictures with every PrairieFest guest.
PrairieFest weekend is always entertaining and this year’s schedule delivered on the tradition again.
It’s the songs, the parade, the rides, and the people you know by heart. It’s where everyone is going to be next Father’s Day weekend. We’ve proved year after year, that no weather can keep a good time down for long. It’s PrairieFest, the festival you know by heart.