Wood Dale Prairie Fest offers more rides, bigger bands
Suburbanites looking for one last blast of summer fun before the school year starts are in luck.
This year’s four-day Wood Dale Prairie Fest is bigger than ever, offering more crowd-pleasing carnival rides and bands with head-bopping beats.
“It’s a nice community highlight for everyone, not just Wood Dale residents,” City Manager Jeff Mermuys said.
The ninth annual fest is a free event that begins Thursday, Aug. 11, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 14, in the Wood Dale Town Square, at the intersection of Commercial Street and Wood Dale Road.
As in years past, the fest will feature a four-day carnival. This year, organizers boast a larger number of rides at affordable prices.
A carnival MegaPass, good for unlimited rides on all four days without time limits, are $40 in advance or $50 at the gate. A special on Thursday offers Wood Dale residents unlimited rides for $10 with proof of residency.
This year’s fest also will showcase more musical acts than in years past, including bands paying tribute to AC/DC, Tom Petty and the Eagles.
Survivor, the Prairie Fest headliner, performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. following the show.
“I’ve been to a lot of fireworks shows around the suburbs and downtown Chicago and I think that ours is the best,” Mermuys said.
Organizers also have amped up activities for younger age groups, offering a Radio Disney Road Crew performance at 1 p.m. Sunday on the main stage as well as a 3 p.m. Cold Blooded Creatures show.
“Those seem to be something that’s more kid- and family-friendly this year than we’ve had in the past,” said Fred Newton, Special Events Management representative for the fest.
Prairie Fest typically draws between 15,000 and 20,000 people, though Mermuys hopes to extend the fest’s community presence and exceed previous numbers this year.
“It gives people a chance to go gather and talk with each other,” Mermuys said.
He says the event “highlights the community” and draws crowds from outside Wood Dale to enjoy the city’s many treasures.
An array of food vendors, including local favorites such as the Ice Lolly Cafe and Salt Creek Golf Club Grill, will be present to satisfy the appetites of hungry fair goers and, as Mermuys hopes, entice nonresidents to come back for more.
“While they’re here they’ll see what a nice little town Wood Dale is,” he said.
If you go
What: 2011 Wood Dale Prairie Fest
When: Thursday to Sunday, Aug. 11 to 14
Where: Wood Dale Town Square, at Commercial Street and Wood Dale Road
Cost: Free admission
Info: wooddale.com