Carnival rides magnet for youngsters at PrairieFest
Kathy Brown, 2, of Oswego, takes a ride on the "Dune Buggy" during opening night of the 23rd annual PrarieFest in Oswego on Thursday, June 16, 2011. (Corey R. Minkanic~For Sun-Times Media)By Matt Brennan For The Beacon-News
June 16, 2011
Montgomery resident Alex Silva and his 4-year-old son Marco trekked to the back of PrairieFest Park in Oswego on Thursday evening.
Marco knew where the good stuff was, and he bugged his dad to keep walking toward the carnival rides. Marco attended his first PrairieFest last year, and on Thursday evening, his father returned with him to the festival.
“We’ll probably just have my son go on some rides and eat some good food,” Alex said. “We’re just enjoying the weather so far.”
The sun came out and the weather warmed Thursday for the opening night of the 23rd edition of PrairieFest. The festival is sponsored by the Oswegoland Park District. It runs from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The festival includes carnival rides, live music, business booths, petting zoos, among other attractions.
“We have a full slate of entertainment for people of all ages and interests, and the best part is it’s free,” said Margaret Gienger, PrairieFest superintendent of marketing.
There are some major rock acts playing the festival this year. Friday night ends with Blue Oyster Cult at 9:30, and Saturday night is Sister Hazel at 8:30. Local blues favorite Howard and the White Boys also play tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. Gienger recommends that people arrive early for those acts.
“There’s plenty of parking, but the lines are always long,” she said.
The carnival atmosphere stayed strong on Thursday evening. The smell of elephant ears and fried dough wafted through the air. The circus jingles played through the speakers.
Carnival employees explained the games to those who wanted to play, with invitations like “Step right up to test your strength!” and “Everybody wins a prize!”
That’s where Oswego residents Cole Harris and Jesus Morales could be found. The 14-year-olds were making their way through the carnival at the back of the park. Harris still enjoys the rides, he said.
“They’re still fun to go on,” he said. “I like the Zipper. It’s a lot of fun.”
Harris said he would be returning again on Friday before leaving for vacation Saturday.
Morales just has fun with the event, he said.
“The whole atmosphere is pretty cool,” he said. “It’s exciting.”
For some, the festival is not so much about the thrills as it is about simply enjoying the day. Oswego resident Beth Wille came armed with a chair and a book. She planned on finding the beer tent and a nice, quiet corner of the park while her children were at the carnival.
“I’m going to enjoy the peace and quiet on a nice summer day,” she said.
Marco knew where the good stuff was, and he bugged his dad to keep walking toward the carnival rides. Marco attended his first PrairieFest last year, and on Thursday evening, his father returned with him to the festival.
“We’ll probably just have my son go on some rides and eat some good food,” Alex said. “We’re just enjoying the weather so far.”
The sun came out and the weather warmed Thursday for the opening night of the 23rd edition of PrairieFest. The festival is sponsored by the Oswegoland Park District. It runs from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The festival includes carnival rides, live music, business booths, petting zoos, among other attractions.
“We have a full slate of entertainment for people of all ages and interests, and the best part is it’s free,” said Margaret Gienger, PrairieFest superintendent of marketing.
There are some major rock acts playing the festival this year. Friday night ends with Blue Oyster Cult at 9:30, and Saturday night is Sister Hazel at 8:30. Local blues favorite Howard and the White Boys also play tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. Gienger recommends that people arrive early for those acts.
“There’s plenty of parking, but the lines are always long,” she said.
The carnival atmosphere stayed strong on Thursday evening. The smell of elephant ears and fried dough wafted through the air. The circus jingles played through the speakers.
Carnival employees explained the games to those who wanted to play, with invitations like “Step right up to test your strength!” and “Everybody wins a prize!”
That’s where Oswego residents Cole Harris and Jesus Morales could be found. The 14-year-olds were making their way through the carnival at the back of the park. Harris still enjoys the rides, he said.
“They’re still fun to go on,” he said. “I like the Zipper. It’s a lot of fun.”
Harris said he would be returning again on Friday before leaving for vacation Saturday.
Morales just has fun with the event, he said.
“The whole atmosphere is pretty cool,” he said. “It’s exciting.”
For some, the festival is not so much about the thrills as it is about simply enjoying the day. Oswego resident Beth Wille came armed with a chair and a book. She planned on finding the beer tent and a nice, quiet corner of the park while her children were at the carnival.
“I’m going to enjoy the peace and quiet on a nice summer day,” she said.
Thank you for sharing the many stories...rch
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