New Villa Fest brings big rigs, live music and family fun to Villa Park

Posted August 19, 2026 12:12 pm

By Chris Gerke

Villa Park is launching Villa Fest, a reimagined version of its former Summer Festival, on Saturday, Aug. 22, with live music, local food vendors and kids’ activities.

The free all-day community event follows the theme “All Roads Lead to Villa Park” and will take place in the Ardmore Business District, at Ardmore and Park Boulevard next to the Illinois Prairie Path.

The day will include special attractions like the popular Big Rigs & Kids display, bingo, a beer garden, and a competitive bags tournament with cash prizes. Local officials and special guests also will be taking turns in the dunk tank.

The entertainment lineup will feature Greg Sonic Emporium at 11 a.m., Catie Callahan at 11:40 a.m., Hawaiian Dance Ensemble at 12:20 p.m., Sonny and the Eggrolls at 1:40 p.m., Rhythm Rockets at 3:05 p.m., Dead Pink Radio at 4:35 p.m., Seven Soul at 6:25 p.m., The 321’s at 7:55 p.m., and The Nobodies at 9:25 p.m.

We checked in with Lily Morgan, parks and recreation communications specialist for the village of Villa Park, to learn more about this year’s festival.

Q. What prompted the creation of this new festival?

The village previously held a Summer Festival each year in June, but this year we wanted to completely refresh the event and give it a new spin for residents and visitors to Villa Park to enjoy. Villa Fest is a full-day community event with free admission, featuring live music, food and drinks from local vendors, and a variety of kids’ games and activities available with purchase of a $10 wristband.

Our goal with Villa Fest is to create an event that brings the community together and gives everyone a chance to enjoy a fun-filled day right here in Villa Park.

Q. How did you choose the different bands that play, the food vendors, and other vendors/activities?

The bands, food vendors, and business vendors were selected by our Villa Fest subcommittee, a group of dedicated volunteers who came together to help plan and execute the event. They brought a lot of great ideas to the table and helped us put together a lineup that we hope will appeal to a wide range of ages and interests.

3. Is there a certain theme?

The theme for this year’s event is “All Roads Lead to Villa Park.” To bring that theme to life, we’re kicking off the day with Villa Park’s ever-popular Big Rigs & Kids event on West Central Avenue between Ardmore and Princeton from 10 a.m. to noon.

Kids and adults will have the opportunity to get up close with village vehicles, meet the people who operate them, and learn more about the important services they provide to our community. The event will be sensory-friendly from 10 to 10:30 a.m. with no lights or sirens.

Grab the wheel and toot the horn at Big Rigs & Kids as part of the new Villa Fest Saturday, Aug. 22. The activity will be sensory-friendly from 10 to 10:30 a.m., with no lights or sirens. Pictured is the 2025 Big Rigs & Kids event. (Village of Villa Park)

4. Do you have any tips for how festivalgoers can have their best experience at the event?

Since there will be activities happening from morning through evening, we recommend coming early, exploring everything Villa Fest has to offer, and making a full day of it.

There will be plenty of parking available throughout the area surrounding the event. The Villa Business District on Cortesi Avenue will have street parking available, and parking will be available closer to the event on West Central Boulevard after 1 p.m. Additional parking will be available at village hall, 20 S. Ardmore Ave., and after 5 p.m. at the Villa Park Public Library, 305 S. Ardmore Ave.

We also encourage everyone to bring a lawn chair so they can get comfortable and enjoy the live music throughout the day.

5. Anything else you’d like readers to know about the festival?

Don’t forget to bring your competitive spirit! The fun kicks off with bingo hosted by the Villa Park VFW Post 2801 from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by a full lineup of local officials and special guests taking their turns in the dunk tank until 5 p.m.

Then, at 6 p.m., grab your friends and form a team for the bags tournament, where you can put your skills to the test and compete for a cash prize.

With live music, kids’ activities, local vendors, and plenty of opportunities to eat, drink, and play, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at Villa Fest. Learn more at invillapark.com/villafest.