The 2015 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. 7 to Aug. 9 enjoying the festivities in downtown Montgomery.

Food and craft vendors kick off the weekend at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, in Montgomery Park and the new Goose Island Craft Beer Tent just north of the main stage will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The carnival will be offering a $20 wristband good for unlimited rides from 6 to 10 pm.  An emergency vehicles parade will travel down Mill Street from 6:30 to 7 p.m., while the wildly popular country band Back Country Roads takes the stage at 6:30 pm and will perform until 10 p.m.

If you arrive at the Fest early on Saturday, you can take advantage of the $20 wristband special good for unlimited rides from 10am to 2pm, or participate in the Downtown Walking Tour at 10 a.m.  Settler’s Cottage will be open from 11 am to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8 and Aug. 9.

Saturday’s Main Stage will host the energetic Cloggin’ Craze performing at noon. Next is a chance to scope out more local talent at 1 pm when “Montgomery’s Got Talent” hits the stage.  Judge for yourself and expect to be impressed!  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 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Robotics Scrimmage area in the north parking lot behind the Village Hall.  The Goose Island Craft Beer Tent will be open from noon-9 pm on Saturday.

Saturday’s entertainment continues at 3 p.m. on the Main Stage with Woody James, a local country artist. After a performance at 5 p.m. by Brothers of Absolution, this day of great music wraps up with “EVOLUTION” performing at 8 p.m.  This popular band features the original members of Hi-Infidelity.  With music ranging from classic to current rock sounds, these talented musicians energize their listeners.  They will rock the fest with cover songs from favorites including Bon Jovi, REO, Styx, and Journey.

Sunday, Aug. 9, will provide a wide range of events and activities. The day 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 10 am, followed by the Christian band ASAPH at 11:30 a.m.  Ronald McDonald will perform a magic show in front of the Village Hall from noon to 12:30 p.m.

The Montgomery Fest Parade begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Main and Mill Street, continuing south to Watkins, over to River Street and back up to Mill.  This year’s parade will include a performance by the 65-member Proviso West High School Band in addition to local favorites.  And don’t forget to bring a food donation for the local food pantry!  Winners of the Car Show will be announced at Austin Park at 3 pm.

A highlight of Sunday’s entertainment will be the world famous Division BMX Stunt Team, with performances at 3 and 5 pm in front of the Village Hall.  The Division BMX Stunt Team knows how to entertain and keep an audience on their edge of their seats.  Watch in awe as stunt riders perform tricks at heights reaching more than 25 feet above the ground!  Meanwhile at 4 pm, Mr. Freeze from Fermilab will entertain all ages with his cryogenics show as he blows things up in the plaza in front of Village Hall.

The Goose Island Craft Beer Tent will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Sunday’s Main Stage will feature the musical talents of a local reggae band called Dabylon at 2 p.m. while the Next Tuesday Band will entertain with classic rock favorites at 4 p.m. The fun continues as The Nygel Ajax Band takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. with their classic rock and dance party music. The fun-filled weekend concludes with fireworks 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.  Free shuttle bus service will be provided to downtown Montgomery on Saturday and Sunday from Lakewood Creek Elementary School and from the parking lot in front of Poor Boy’s on Montgomery Road near Douglas.  Busses will run about every half hour from 11 am until about 10 p.m.

You can visit the village’s website at www.ci.montgomery.il.us to print a Montgomery Fest brochure.

SOURCE: village of Montgomery press release