Braidwood Lions Club
245 W. First St.
Braidwood IL. 60408
(815)791-8093 - Phone
2023 Braidwood Lions Club Summerfest
July 13th thru 16th, 2023
"An 80's Rewind"
Held In the Braidwood Park District's Old Smokey City Park (245 W. First St. Braidwood, IL. 60408)
Rides, Games, Food, Free Nightly Entertainment, Bingo and much, much more for the entire family.
**Scroll Down The Page For More Information**
** A special thank you to all of our sponsors. Be sure to visit the Summerfest Sponsors Page to find out which Star Sponsors are helping to make Summerfest shine. **
The following entry forms/application/information packets are now available for 2023 Summerfest. Scroll down the page for more information.
- Flea Market, Arts & Crafts Show Vendor Application Packet
- Hometown Proud Parade Entry Form
- Hometown Proud Parade Grand Marshal Nomination Form
- Car Show Informational Flyer
- Pie Eating Contest Informational Flyer
- Baby Contest Informational Flyer & Registration Form
Click here for a map of the festival grounds
**Please Note** No Unauthorized Vending, Soliciting, Peddling or Concession Sales Allowed On Braidwood Park District Grounds During The Festival. All Vendors, Solicitors, Peddlers or Concession Vendors Must Be Registered And Approved By The Braidwood Lions Club. Any Unauthorized Vendors, Solicitors, Peddlers or Concessioners Will Be Asked To Leave Park Grounds.
We are NOT accepting any additional food vendors at this time.
**NOTICE TO PET OWNERS**
For safety reasons, no pets will be allowed on festival grounds in the carnival midway area, food court, entertainment areas, flea market areas, parking lots or baseball field areas, regardless of size, temperament, or leash. Only certified ADA service animals will be permitted. Anyone found walking about the festival grounds will be asked to take their pets back home.
** NO SMOKING ALLOWED UNDER THE BINGO PAVILION **
Join us on Facebook to get even more updates and information on Summerfest!!
**Free Live Musical Entertainment Nightly**
Each night during the festival live musical entertainment takes place on the Constellation Energy Entertainment Stage. Bands from around the area perform a wide variety of styles and hits.
Check back in the months leading up to the festival to find out what bands will be playing at this year's Summerfest!!
- THURSDAY 7/13 -
5:00pm - 7:00pm: 103.1FM WCSJ Radio Live Remote Broadcast & Prize Wheel Giveaways
(next to the entertainment stage)
7:00pm - 10:30pm: DJ Roy Gregory's Country, Rock & Blues Dance Party
- FRIDAY 7/14 -
5:00pm - 8:00pm: 98.3 WCCQ Live Remote Broadcast & Giveaways (next to the entertainment stage)
7:30pm - 11:30pm: "Nashville Electric Company" Country Party Music Favorites!!
- SATURDAY 7/15 -
10:00am - 2:00pm: DJ Jeff Saltzman (car show area, east side of the skate park)
12:00pm - 4:00pm: DJ George - Chi-City Enterprises (next to the entertainment stage)
6:00pm - 7:00pm: 101.7FM River Country Live Remote Broadcast & Giveaways
(next to the entertainment stage)
7:30pm - 11:30pm: "The Brat Pack" Totally 80's Party Rock!!
- SUNDAY 7/16 -
2:00pm - 6:00pm: DJ George - Chi-City Enterprises (next to the entertainment stage)
6:30pm - 9:30pm: "The Baked Potatoes" Classic Rock Hits
Other Events, Activities & Entertainment
Check back in the months prior to the festival to find updated information. Additional activities & entertainment will be added as they are confirmed.
- THURSDAY 7/13 -
5-11pm Food Court, Lions Beer Garden & Knights of Columbus Council #1574 Concession Stand Open
6-9pm Braidwood Fire Department Fire Prevention Booth & Displays
6-10pm Lions Club Bingo (under the Lions pavilion) $0.25 a card - Must be 18 years old to play
6-11pm Carnival Midway Open *See below for more details & family night ride specials information*
- FRIDAY 7/14 -
5-11:30pm Food Court, Lions Beer Garden & Knights of Columbus Council #1574 Concession Stand Open
6-9pm Braidwood Fire Department Fire Prevention Booth & Equipment Displays
6-10pm Lions Club Bingo (under the Lions pavilion) $0.25 a card - Must be 18 years old to play
6-11pm Carnival Midway Open *See below for more details & information on unlimited ride specials*
- SATURDAY 7/15 -
9am-5pm Flea Market, Arts & Craft Show Open (south end of the city park)
10am Annual Summerfest Baby Contest Begins (on the entertainment stage)
Coordinated by: The Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition
10am-2pm Annual Summerfest Car Show (east side of the skate park)
Coordinated by: The RC Gridiron Club
12pm-12am Food Court, Lions Beer Garden & Knights of Columbus Council #1574 Concession Stand Open
1pm-12am Carnival Midway Open *See below for more details & information on unlimited ride specials*
1pm Annual Summerfest Pie Eating Contest Begins (under hospitality tent)
2-4pm Lions Club Bingo (under the Lions pavilion) $0.25 a card - Must be 18 years old to play
2-4pm Balloon Twisting Art & Face Painting with Pete the Fun Guy & Linda The Face Painter
(under hospitality tent)
2-9pm Braidwood Fire Department Fire Prevention Booth & Equipment Displays
4-4:45pm Tim "That's Amazing!!!"... an amazing show of magic & comedy that's fast-paced, funny & interactive
As seen Six Flags and twice at the White House (in front of the main entertainment stage)
Click here for the official Tim "That's Amazing!!" performance flyer
6-10pm Lions Club Bingo (under the Lions pavilion) $0.25 a card - Must be 18 years old to play
- SUNDAY 7/16 -
9am-5pm Flea Market, Arts & Crafts Show Open (south end of the city park)
12-10:30pm Food Court, Lions Beer Garden & Knights of Columbus Council #1574 Concession Stand Open
1pm Hometown Proud Parade Begins on Main Street (Main & Mitchell St. to Walker St.)
2-10:30pm Carnival Midway Open *See below for more details & information on unlimited ride specials*
2-4pm Lions Club Bingo (under the Lions pavilion) $0.25 a card - Must be 18 years old to play
2-4pm Balloon Twisting Art & Face Painting with Pete the Fun Guy & Linda The Face Painter
(under hospitality tent)
2:30-4:30pm "The NORMAL One" - Clowning Around with Laughs & Smiles (in the hospitality & entertainment area)
2-8pm Braidwood Fire Department Fire Prevention Booth & Equipment Displays
6-9pm Lions Club Bingo (under the Lions pavilion) $0.25 a card - Must be 18 years old to play
9:30pm Annual Summerfest Fireworks Display
Carnival
The carnival midway is provided by A&A Attractions.
Click here for A&A Attractions' web site.
- Carnival Hours -
Thursday : 6:00pm. to 11:00pm.
Pay One Price For Unlimited Rides All Night (Wristbands)
Friday : 6:00pm. to 11:00pm.
Pay One Price For Unlimited Rides All Night (Wristbands)
Saturday : 1:00pm. to Midnight
Pay One Price For Unlimited Rides From 1-5pm. OR 6-11pm. (Wristbands)
Sunday : 2:00pm. to 10:30pm.
Pay One Price For Unlimited Rides From 2-6pm. (Wristbands)
- Purchase an unlimited rides wristband from the carnival midway ticket booth on Sunday and receive a chance to win one of two bicycles. Winners must be present to win. Drawing will be held at 6:30pm. at the midway ticket booth. Bicycles provided courtesy of A&A Attractions.
Each Pay One Price For Unlimited Rides Session Requires A New Wristband To Be Purchased
Flea Market, Arts & Crafts Show Saturday 7/15 & Sunday 7/16
Saturday 7/15 & Sunday 7/16
9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. (both days)
The flea market is located at the south end of the Braidwood City Park (First & Center St.) For more information about the flea market please call Flea Market Coordinator Andy Kaminsky at (779)233-1026.
Click on the link below to view and print an official 2023 Summerfest Flea Market, Arts & Crafts Show vendor application packet.
2023 Summerfest Flea Market, Arts & Crafts Show Vendor Application Packet
Please be aware of online scammers attempting to solicit vendors for our event. Do not contact them. Only use official means of communication as listed here on our website or in the application packet.
Hometown Proud Parade Sunday 7/16
The annual Hometown Proud Parade will take place on Sunday 7/16 starting at 1:00pm on Braidwood's Main Street.
Line up will begin at 12:30 on Mitchell St. next to Casey's. The parade will begin at Main & Mitchell Street, travel down the Main Street to Walker Street, turning south on Walker Street and ending on Walker Street behind the Reed Custer Intermediate School. .
Click on the link below to view and print an official Summerfest Hometown Proud Parade Entry Form. For more information please call Parade Coordinators Angie Hutton at (815)353-3053 or Jessica Adam-Keymon at (815)274-1498.
2023 Summerfest Hometown Proud Parade Entry Form
**Hometown Proud Parade Grand Marshal Nominations Now Being Accepted**
Click here to view & print an official 2023 Hometown Proud Parade nomination form
All nominations must be postmarked or timestamped NO LATER THAN June 16, 2023.
Car Show Saturday 7/15
Coordinated by: The RC Gridiron Club
All Makes, Models & Years are welcome to participate. There will be a $15.00 registration fee. Registration will take place on the day of the event from 9:30am to 10:30am. All participants must be parked by 11am to be judged. Free goodie bags to the first 50 registrants. Trophies will be awarded at 2pm to the top 15 participants.
Show cars can enter thru the north entrance gate off of Third Street. Follow signs to show area.
Spectator parking will be available in the north parking lot off of Third Street or the south parking lot off of First Street.
All proceeds from registration fees will benefit the RC Gridiron Club's activities and missions.
Click on the link below to view & print the official Summerfest Car Show informational flyer.
2023 Summerfest Car Show Informational Flyer
Baby Contest Saturday 7/15
Coordinated by: The Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition
The annual Summerfest baby contest coordinated by The Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition will take place on Saturday under the Lions' Pavilion starting promptly at 10:00a.m. For more information, please call the Coalition office at (815)390-5024 and leave a message for a return phone call. Participants must reside within the Reed-Custer School District.
All Entries Must Be Received By Midnight on Friday July 7, 2023.
NO late entries or walk-up registration will be accepted
Click on the link below to view & print the official 2023 Summerfest Baby Contest informational flyer and entry form.
2023 Summerfest Baby Contest Informational Flyer
2023 Summerfest Baby Contest Entry Form
Pie Eating Contest Saturday 7/15
Saturday 7/15 Starting At 1:00p.m.
Under The Hospitality Tent
Age Categories:
- 6 yrs. & Under (Small Pie Tin, 4oz. Cool Whip Only)
- 7 to 10 years (Small Pie Tin, 12oz. of Chocolate or Vanilla Pudding, plus Cool Whip)
- 11 to 14 years (Large Pie Tin, 28oz. of Apple or Cherry Pie Filling, plus Cool Whip)
- 15 years & Older (Large Pie Tin, 28oz. of Apple of Cherry Pie Filling, plus Cool Whip)
TO REGISTER send an email to braidwoodlionsclub@yahoo.com, call/text (815)791-8093 or send a private message to The Braidwood Lions Club's Facebook page. Include the participant's name, age, telephone number and the preferred flavor of pudding or pie filling.
Walk-up registration will be accepted on the day of the contest on a first come, first serve basis.
The first contestant in each age category to eat their entire pie will be the winner and ribbons will be awarded.
Click on the link below to view and print an official Summerfest Pie Eating Contest Informational Flyer.
2023 Summerfest Pie Eating Contest Informational Flyer
Braidwood Fire Department Booth & Displays
Be Sure To Stop By The Braidwood Fire Department's Fire Prevention Booth Located Just North Of The Bingo Pavilion
- Equipment Displays -
- Fire Prevention Information -
Fireworks Display Sunday 7/16
Be sure to grab your lawn chairs or blankets and come on down to the park for the grand finale.
The annual Braidwood Lions Club Summerfest fireworks display will bring the festival to a close with a bang on Sunday night starting at 9:30pm. Always a crowd pleaser, the annual fireworks display is sure to amaze you as you get a close up seat to all the action.
The fireworks display is provided by Mad Bombers Fireworks Productions.
Click here to visit Mad Bombers Productions' web site
Food Court
10 food vendors make up the food court which is located just off the entertainment area.
A wide variety of choices are available to fit every taste. American, Italian, Mexican, Chinese and BBQ are among the wide variety of foods to choose from.
Food Court Hours:
Thursday 5:00p.m. - 11:00p.m.
Friday 5:00p.m. - 12:00a.m. (midnight)
Saturday 12:00p.m. - 12:00a.m. (midnight)
Sunday 12:00p.m. - 10:30p.m.
BINGO!!!!
Bingo games are played nightly throughout the festival under the Lions pavilion.
Bring your friends!!
Bingo schedule:
Thursday : 6:00p.m. - 10:00p.m.
Friday : 6:00p.m. - 10:00p.m.
Saturday : 2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. &
6:00p.m. - 10:00p.m.
Sunday : 2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. &
6:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.
$0.25 per card
Must be 18 years or older to play.
**SPECIAL NOTICE**
- NO SMOKING ALLOWED UNDER THE BINGO PAVILION
- NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 WILL BE ALLOWED TO SIT AT THE BINGO TABLES WHILE BINGO GAMES ARE IN SESSION. CHILDREN ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH THE BINGO CARDS.
NO EXCEPTIONS!!
Parking
Parking is available on either the north end of the park (3rd Street entrance), the south end of the park (1st Street entrance) or the east side of the park (Center Street temporary entrance). Handicap parking is available on a first come, first serve basis next to the Lions bingo pavilion. Handicap permits or license plates are required to park in a handicap zone. There is also handicap parking available near the flea market on a first come, first serve basis.
Contact Information
Summerfest General Information: Josh Bolatto (815)791-8093
Fax: (815)458-3842 Email: braidwoodlionsclub@yahoo.com
-2023 Summerfest Committee-
Festival Chairman & Operations Coordinator: Josh Bolatto (815)791-8093
Festival Finance Coordinator: Wayne Saltzman (815)458-6444
Carnival Coordinator: Gary Bumgardner (815)458-6548
Flea Market Coordinator: Andy Kaminsky (779)233-1026
Parade Coordinator: Angie Hutton (815)353-3053
Bingo Coordinator: Mary Kaminsky (815)685-2198
Beer Garden Coordinator: Rob Grivetti (815)791-0755
Utilities Coordinator: Rob Grivetti (815)791-0755
Sponsorship Coordinator: Josh Bolatto (815)791-8093
Carnival Ticket Pre-Sale Coordinator: LuAnn Bolatto (815)458-6055
Publicity & Advertisement Coordinator: Josh Bolatto (815)791-8093
Disclaimer
All events, activities, performances and entertainment are held in an outdoor setting and are subject to the weather elements. Events & activities are subject to change or cancellation with little or no advanced notice due to the weather. Vendors are responsible for providing their own shelters, canopies, tents or awnings. Carnival rides may be shut down at the discretion of A&A Attractions management and operators due to hazardous weather conditions and/or safety concerns. No refunds will be given for carnival ride tickets or wristbands due to cancellations caused by hazardous weather and/or safety concerns. Live photography and video/audio taping will be taking place throughout the festival grounds each day. Your presence on festival grounds and/or participation in any festival activity, event or tournament shall serve as consent to photograph and/or video/audio recording.