You’re the Life of this Party!
In addition to featuring FREE parking and FREE admission, PrairieFest features tons of FREE entertainment. Concerts and performances have guests dropping their jaws, raising their hands, and tapping their toes. PrairieFest, Kendall Country’s largest festival is back June 13-16, 2024. Presented by the Oswegoland Park District, the fest kicks off summer with a community celebration over Father’s Day weekend.
PrairieFest kicks off Thursday, June 13 with the the impressive vocal choirs of local high schools and highlights more local musicians with the PrairieWinds Community Concert, a PrairieFest tradition for musicians in our area. These terrific performances will serve as a great lead in to the Thursday night band, The Ron Burgundys. This Chicagoland Yacht Rock favorite won’t stop until the entire PrairieFest Park crowd is singing along to Africa by Toto.
Local band Ethan Bell and the Cowboy Co Country Music Show will open up Friday, June 14. At 9pm, the PrairieFest Main Stage will host Country Music star Deana Carter. The 5 time platinum album artist will thrill the crowd with her number one hit and 1997 Grammy Single of the Year “Strawberry Wine”, and other hits like, “And We Danced Anyway”, “How Do I Get There”, and “Count Me In”.
For Saturday, Oswego’s favorite Jeff and Kurt’s Acoustic Refreshment will open the day. Next, Chicago’s Best Pop Punk cover band, There Goes The Neighborhood pumps up the crowd with hits from Blink-182, Green Day, Fall Out Boy, and Sum 41. Headlining Saturday night will be one of Billboard’s 100 Greatest Alternative Artists of All Time and “100 Greatest Alternative Songs of All Time”. The Artists behind “Good”, “Desperately Wanting”, and “King of New Orleans”, Better Than Ezra will take the PrairieFest Main Stage Saturday, June 15 at 9pm.
Father’s Day continues the fun. The day will begin with the PrairieFest 5K and Prairie Dog Jog. The PrairieFest parade steps off at 1pm and will entertain thousands along Oswego’s Main Street. The last band of the weekend will not disappoint with American English, the seminal Beatles tribute band playing the park on Father’s Day, June 16 at 4pm.
Throughout PrairieFest there are activities and events for everyone. The ThrillABLE Inclusive Family Carnival event for families who would enjoy the carnival with modifications will be Thursday, June 13 from 3-5pm. Friday begins as a great day for kiddos with the Wheels Go Round Touch a Truck event from 10am – Noon. Fun for everyone continues Saturday with the Cotton Candy eating contest.
With the help of generous business partners, PrairieFest continues to offer outstanding entertainment. PrairieFest weekend is always entertaining and this year’s schedule delivers on the tradition again. Those looking to rescue a dog at the Prairie Paws Pet Adoption event, market their wares at the PrairieFest Expo Village, or march in the parade are encouraged to contact festival director Kristie Vest at (630) 554-4425 or by email at kvest@oswegolandpd.org.
What Bands Have Played PrairieFest?
2024 – Deana Carter, Better Than Ezra, The Ron Burgundys, American English, There Goes The Neighborhood, Ethan Bell and the Cowboy Co Country Music Show, and Jeff & Kurt’s Acoustic Refreshment
2023 – Sara Evans, Pop2K with Ryan Cabrera, Chris Kirkpatrick, LFO, OTown, American English, Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press, Yankee Cowboy, Nicci Ultrasonic & the Gin and Tonics, Starlight City, PrairieWinds
2022 – Phil Vassar, Material Issue, Smithereens wtih Marshall Crenshaw, American English, Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press, Attention Deficit Disorder, Carolina Pine with Woody James, Ethan Bell Band, PrairieWinds
2021 – Uncle Kracker, Nick Lynch, The Boy Band Night, Jeff & Kurt, Beyond the Blonde, Member’s Only 80’s Band, Evil Burrito, Prairie Station, Whiskey Romance, Swing Assembly
2019 – BoDeans, Spin Doctors, American English, Mike & Joe, Tricky Mission, Summer Son, PrairieWinds
2018 – Sugar Ray, Blood, Sweat, and Tears with Bo Bice, Keith Anderson, Fool House, Hi Infidelity, Red Woody, WhiskeyFist, PrairieWinds
2017 – Sugar Ray*, Blessid Union of Souls, Eve 6, Gina Glocksen, Libido Funk Circus, County Line Brothers, Hillbilly Rockstarz, PrairieWinds
2016 – Marshall Tucker, Smashmouth, Lucky Boys Confusion, Tyme Machines Band, Animal Farm Band, Ethan Bell Band, Dick Diamond & The Dusters, Dead River Band, PrairieWinds
2015 – Loverboy*, Vertical Horizon, Nick Lynch, Sixteen Candles Band, Red Woody, Luke Underhill, PrairieWinds
2014 – Night Ranger, Rusted Root, Cash Inn, 7th Heaven, Modern Day Romeos, Billy Croft and the Five Alarm, Luke Underhill, PrairieWinds
2013 – .38 Special, Spazzmatics, Epic, Infinity, Cool Rockin’ Daddies, PrairieWinds
2012 – Gin Blossoms, Wedding Banned, Back Country Roads, 7th Heaven
2011 – Sister Hazel, Blue Oyster Cult, 7th Heaven, Howard & the White Boys, Green 13, Hix Boys, PrairieWinds n, Generations, PrairieWinds
2010 – Eddie Money, Mike & Joe, Vicious Cykle, Infinity, Green Thirteen, Tin Horse, PrairieWinds
2009 – Foghat, Mike & Joe, Absolutely Perfect, Tin Horse*, Infinity*, Backstage Pass, PrairieWinds
2008 – Survivor, Hairbangers Ball, Deep Six, Bloodline Blues, Arra, Back Alley Band, Ashton Gap, PrairieWinds
2007 – Starship, Deep Six, Arra, Hi Fidelity, Blooze Brothers, PrairieWinds
2006 – Ides of March, Battle of the Bands, Banda Rika, Country Sky, Back Alley Band, Person to Person, Blooze Brothers, PrairieWinds
2005 – The Buckinghams, The Only Sons, Creole Stomp, Old Plank All Stars, Infinity, The Retro Rockets, Back Alley Band, Catfight, Chicago Skyliners, PrairieWinds