Summerfest Safety Information
During our annual festival, safety for all festival attendees & volunteers is our #1 priority. Here you will find valuable safety information pertaining to our festival.
No Pets Allowed On Festival Grounds
For safety reasons, no pets will be allowed on festival grounds during Summerfest. This includes the carnival midway area, food court area, flea market area, entertainment areas, baseball field areas or parking lots, regardless of size, temperament or leash. Only ADA service dogs and K-9’s used for law enforcement purposes will be permitted.
This policy has been in effect for several years during our festival. Prior to implementing this policy, we had several “close call” incidents including one bite incident and one injured dog paw, involving dogs on leashes and festival attendees (mostly children) in the carnival midway areas, entertainment areas and food court area. We understand that this rule may not sit well with some pet owners, but the last thing anyone wants is for a child or other person to be bitten or scratched by a pet that is suddenly excited, scared or gets “spooked” by a loud noise, loud music, large crowds or an excited small child or person running past them. Likewise, no pet owner would want their animal to be injured by an excited child or other person who is going from ride to ride, running around or attempting to maneuvering about the crowds, that happens to trip or fall onto their animal or steps onto their paws.
Those found walking about the festival grounds with pets will be asked to take them back home.
We will have signs posted around the festival grounds reminding pet owners of this rule. We have also posted notification on our website, our Facebook page and in our festival brochure. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience that may cause. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this new rule, please feel free to contact us at your convenience. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
No Face Coverings Allowed on Festival Grounds
No Face Coverings Permitted On Festival Grounds. This policy has been established out of an abundance of safety after consulting with other area law enforcement agencies and following lessons learned from other festivals which have taken place so far this year.
- Standard PPE medical masks which cover only the nose and mouth will still be allowed.
- Anyone found wearing a face covering which obscures their identity, other than a standard PPE medical mask, on festival grounds may be asked to leave.
- Many other area fairs and festivals have instituted similar policies out of an abundance of caution.
No Display of Motorcycle Club-Related, Or Gang-Related Colors, Patches Or Any Other Insignia Allowed On Festival Grounds.
This applies equally to all groups and/or organizations. Individuals wearing such items will be asked to remove them or secure them in their vehicles
Police Drone Usage
Police drones may be used during the festival for the purpose of real-time monitoring for participant safety.
Lost & Found
The Lost & Found is located at the Knights of Columbus concession stand underneath the Lions' bingo pavilion. If the concession stand is closed, please see a festival volunteer.
Severe Weather
Our festival organizers, along with local Emergency Services have developed a comprehensive safety plan in the event of severe weather. Braidwood E.S.D.A. provides weather monitoring services in coordination with the US National Weather Service Chicago forecast office. All festival volunteers are familiarized with severe weather emergency procedures. If severe weather is imminent, announcements will be made using loud speakers throughout the venue for attendees to return to their vehicles to seek shelter or vacate the grounds. Due to the open and outdoor nature of our festival, there are no adequate shelters available on-site.
Missing Children
In the event that you become separated from your child, please inform a festival volunteer or on-site law enforcement for assistance. We encourage parents to take a full head-to-toe photograph of your children before embarking on festival grounds. This photo can be provided to law enforcement for reference when searching for a child.
Medical Emergencies
In the event of a medical emergency, please inform a festival volunteer or on-site law enforcement for assistance, or call 9-1-1 for emergency services. Provide the dispatcher with the exact location where assistance is needed. Use references to rides, physical landmarks, vendor booths, etc. which will make it easier for emergency responders to locate you.