Rain washes out Prairie Fest opening night
Heavy rain and flooding forced Wood Dale officials to cancel Thursday's opening night of Prairie Fest, police said.
City officials in charge of the festival, which was scheduled to open at 6 p.m., said they were closely monitoring preparations for the annual four-day party.
They said rain that blanketed the area in the early afternoon left the fest grounds flooded in several areas. Concern over the wet ground, particularly near the entrances and exits, prompted the decision to cancel Thursday's opening.
Officials said they will continue to monitor the weather and the state of the grounds to determine whether Prairie Fest can open on schedule at 6 p.m. Friday. The festival is scheduled to run through Sunday.
Additional announcements related to the festival will be posted on the city's website, and on the city's electronic message sign on Wood Dale Road.