After a year off due to the pandemic, Montgomery Fest is back for its 36th edition this weekend in Montgomery.
The fest kicked off Friday and will run through Sunday night at Montgomery Park in downtown Montgomery along the Fox River. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, finishing with a fireworks show. Activities include a carnival, food, beer tent, music and more. Admission is free.
“What we are hearing is all the festivals that have happened this year have been way busier than in previous years so were staffed up,” Montgomery Village President Matt Brolley said Friday night.
This year the music stage is located in the middle of the park so people can bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the shows, organizers said.
“I think it’s fantastic the way its laid out this year with food vendors on the street and the stage in the park,” said Judy Brown of Montgomery.
Montgomery Trustee Doug Marecek said he was thrilled with the weather Friday evening.
“Hopefully the community comes out and enjoys getting out after being cooped up for so long,” he said.
A full lineup of events is planned for the festival’s final day on Sunday.
The annual Carp Fishing Derby will begin at 6 a.m. and run until 2 p.m. The fest will officially open at 10 a.m. with food vendors and the beginning of the car show which will run until 3 p.m. at Austin Park.
Boot Camp with Oswegoland Park District will be held from 10 to 10:30 a.m. with Zumba with Oswegoland Park District from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
The carnival and petting zoo will open at 11 a.m. At noon the beer tent will open and Jimmy Jamz Kids Show will take place at the entrance to Village Hall.
The annual festival parade will step off at 1 p.m.
The Mudslingers BMX Stunt Bike Show is set for 3 and 5 p.m.
Musical entertainment at the fest Sunday will include Lava Rock at 2 p.m., The Indigos at 4:30 p.m. and Hello Weekend at 7 p.m.
The food vendors, beer tent and carnival will close at 9 p.m.
Fireworks at 9 p.m. will end the festival Sunday.
Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.