PLAINFIELD – While the first day of Plainfield Fest was plagued by rain, the festival was in full swing Saturday in wet but clear weather as hundreds traveled downtown for live music, food trucks and family-friendly fun.
Jane Pransky, of Plainfield, said it wasn’t her first time coming to the three-day Plainfield festival, which began Friday night. She said she enjoys visiting the event each year to see all the people who come to check out the downtown vendors.
“It’s fun. The people are friendly,” Pransky said.
Robert Rovito, chef and owner of Italian restaurant Capri Sogno, said many festival-goers are from outside of Plainfield, so the weekend-long event is a change for them to experience what downtown has to offer, such as his establishment at 24102 Lockport Street.
“I get to meet people who have never been here,” Rovito said, adding that the event gives his business exposure.
Plainfield Fire Lt. Brandon Vainowski hands Jack Muehlbauer a sticker Saturday, July 16, 2022, during the Plainfield Festival in downtown Plainfield (Adam Jomant, Shaw Media)
New to the festival this year was a designated family area for kids and their parents, said Vitella Barnes, assistant director of the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is partnering with the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation to host the festival.
Barnes said in the family area, children under 18 can listen to live music by bands with an adult. This year, the bands AD3 Acoustic Trio, School of Rock, 7th Heaven and Common Allies will play at the festival.
“Everyone is welcome this year,” Barnes said.
One of the festival’s most notable activities is the nationally renowned Midwest Bags Tournament.
The festival has been without a carnival for several years, including this year. That’s why the festival has offered a petting zoo, pony rides, balloon artists and face painting to make it appealing to kids, Barnes said.
“We hope in the future to bring the carnival back. We’re working on it,” Barnes said.
Yara Uzbey gets her face painted during Plainfield Fest, Saturday, July 16, 2022, in downtown Plainfield (Adam Jomant, Shaw Media)
Dwight Clowers of Plainfield said he has attended the Plainfield Festival in the past and he thought the lack of a carnival was a loss for the event.
“I know that when kids usually hear ‘fest,’ they look for carnival,” Clowers said.
Lockport Street between Des Plaines Street and Illinois Street was filled with craft and business vendors. Des Plaines Street was lined with several food trucks offering ice cream, barbecue and Mexican cuisine.
Mike Smego and Matt Gallagher of Backdraft BBQ & Catering, brought his food truck to the festival for the first time. Smego said he and Gallagher used to work as firefighters in Plainfield.
“We know how big a fest can be,” Smego said.
He said his food truck offers “traditional barbecue with a festive twist.”
“Except for the rain yesterday, it’s been fantastic,” Smego said of the Plainfield Fest.
Other food trucks at the event included Annabell’s Bar-B-Q, The Original Rainbow Cone and Freddie’s Off The Chain Mexican Cuisine.
Rovito had a booth in front of the restaurant where he offered visitors homemade meatballs, Italian sausage, roasted ravioli, Italian ice and other food.
“We let people taste a little bit of our specialties,” Rovito said.
Blanca Munoz receives a rainbow cone from The Original Rainbow Cone ice cream truck Saturday, July 16, 2022, at the Plainfield Festival in Downtown Plainfield (Adam Jomant, Shaw Media)
Some of the Plainfield Fest vendors were from schools, banks, churches and martial arts studios. Many vendors sold a variety of items. Plainfield-based Crafty Casey’s was at the event to sell custom t-shirts and drinkware. The company’s motto is “You dream it, we create it.”
Cassidi Casey, who owns the business with his wife, Kelly Casey, said he thinks the Plainfield Fest is “actually pretty good.”
“We’re doing really well. We’ve got a lot of customers,” Cassidy Casey said.
One of the benefits for visitors to Plainfield Fest is that they can enjoy the many restaurants open in the downtown area. Moe Joe’s, Uptown, HopScotch & Vine, Station One Smokehouse and Garage Band Brewing were filled with customers during the event.
“I feel like most people would enjoy having their community put on something that everyone can go to,” Barnes said.
Henry Braun plays Frisbee with his father, Christopher, during the Plainfield Festival Saturday, July 16, 2022, in downtown Plainfield (Adam Jomant, Shaw Media)
