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The 2017 Montgomery Fest schedule is packed with a wide variety of fun activities and entertainment for all age groups. Whether you are a fan of live music, car shows, parades, carnivals, great food, fishing or fireworks, you will be delighted as you spend the weekend of Aug. 11-13 enjoying the festivities in downtown Montgomery.
Food and craft vendors kick off the weekend at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, in Montgomery Park, with the Montgomery Foundation’s Craft Beer Booth in the food court open from 5 to 10 p.m. The carnival will be offering a $20 wristband good for unlimited rides from 6 to 10 p.m. The wildly popular country band Back Country Roads takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. and will perform until 10 p.m.
If you arrive at the fest early on Saturday, Aug. 12, you can take advantage of the $20 wristband special good for unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or participate in the Downtown Walking Tour at 11 a.m. Settler’s Cottage will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Also, Heartland Blood Center will host a blood drive in their mobile unit at the corner of River and Mill streets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The main stage will host local talent at noon Saturday for “Montgomery’s Got Talent.” Fire department demonstrations at 12:30 p.m. in front of the Village Hall will captivate the attention of the younger kids. You also won’t want to miss the annual Montgomery Fire Department water fights at 1:30 p.m. in front of the Village Hall, or the chance to “Drive a Bot” from noon to 3 p.m. at the Robotics Scrimmage area in the VFW parking lot. They will also have a T-shirt cannon demonstration at 1 p.m. At 4 p.m., SciTech will present “What’s the Matter with Chemistry?” in front of the Main Stage. The Craft Beer Booth will be open from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Saturday’s musical entertainment kicks off at 2 p.m. on the main stage with Randy Walker, a local musician performing hit songs that span eight decades. You won’t want to miss the high-energy performance at 5 p.m. by LAVA Rock (Led Zepplin, Aerosmith, Van Halen and AC/DC), and this day of great music wraps up with Semple performing at 8 p.m. This popular band is led by Keith Semple, formerly with 7th Heaven and a semifinalist on “The Voice,” who has performed 150 shows a year around the world since 2013.
Sunday, Aug. 13, kicks off early with a 6 a.m. start time for the Family Fun Carp Fishing Derby and 8 a.m. registration for the car show in Austin Park. Community Christian Church will provide a worship service on the main stage at 11 a.m. The Ronald McDonald Magic Show takes place at noon in front of the Village Hall and then the Montgomery Fest Parade, led by Grand Marshal Daniel Meyers, begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Main and Mill streets, continuing south to Watkins, over to River Street and back up to Mill.
This year’s parade will include a performance by the 180-member East Aurora High School Band in addition to other local favorites.
Winners of the car show will be announced at Austin Park at 3 p.m., and at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Freeze will entertain the crowd by freezing and blowing things up in front of the main stage.
A highlight of Sunday’s entertainment will be the Mudslingers BMX Stunt Team, with performances at 3 and 5 p.m. in front of the Village Hall. These stunt riders know how to entertain and keep an audience on their edge of their seats.
The Montgomery Foundation’s Craft Beer Booth will be open from noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Sunday’s Main Stage will feature ASAPH at 2 p.m. followed by Corey O’Donnell at 2:30 p.m., while Whiskeyfist will entertain with country hits at 3:30 p.m. The fun continues as Field Day takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. with their classic rock and dance party music. The fun-filled weekend concludes Sunday evening with a fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m.
Of course, Montgomery Fest always includes everyone’s favorites: the carnival, food vendors, craft and vendor booths, free pony rides and petting zoo. Community Christian Church will host a family tent offering diaper changing and rest areas, free water and freeze pops. Parking downtown is limited, so take advantage of the free shuttle bus service to downtown Montgomery on Saturday and Sunday from Lakewood Creek Elementary School and from the parking lot in front of U-Haul on Douglas Road. Buses will run about every half hour from 11 a.m. until about 10 p.m.
Visit the village's website at www.ci.montgomery.il.us to print a Montgomery Fest brochure.
A news release from the village said, “The village of Montgomery would also like to recognize and thank this year’s Montgomery Fest sponsors who make this community event possible, particularly our Diamond, Platinum and Gold Sponsors: Fox Valley Park District, Aurora University, 95.5 The River, The Lakone Company, VVF Illinois Services, Aurora Township, Blain’s Farm and Fleet, Brian & Sons, ComEd, Engineering Enterprises, Engler, Callaway, Bastian, et al., Euclid Beverage, La Chiquita Food Market, Mickey, Wilson, Weiler, Renzi & Andersson, Montgomery VFW, and the Oswego Ledger.”