Monee Fall Fest Will Have Different Look
By Karen Haave
Monee Fall Fest opens September 5, but it will look a little different from previous years.
With a massive renovation project underway at Firemen’s Park, where the fest is usually held, the event will be divided among several locations nearby.
Village Administrator Ruben Bautista said officials hope for the Firemen’s Park construction project to be completed by spring 2025.
But in the meantime, “Fall Fest will continue this year and will be in the Firemen’s Park Complex, but the layout will be a little bit different this year.”
The Village will have Court Street shut down at Will Center Road and at Eastgate. Remote parking will be offered at New Hope Community Christian Church (Court Street at Will-Center Road), as well as St. Boniface Church (at certain times), and on the Monee Education Center property (across the street) accessed from the Main Street entranceway. There will be shuttle buses transporting visitors to-from parking areas to park grounds.
The carnival will be in the Village Hall/Public Works parking area, and the food vendors will be set up on Court Street.
“The new Park Pavillion will be utilized,” Bautista said, “and the tent/stage area will remain the same place in the parking lot in front of the pavilion.
“The Monee Education Center (MEC) will be used for crafters and vendors, and we will also have the Sea Lions Show set up on the MEC Site. It will be a little hectic, with the continuing construction project taking place, but ‘The Show Must Go On.’
“Lastly, while hosting our annual Fall Fest,” Bautista said, “the Village is very proud to also Host the Vietnam Veterans ‘Moving Wall’ Exhibit (Sept. 5-9). The Moving Wall will be located at the new Village Hall, 25711 S. Egyptian Trail (the former Riverside Medical Center property).
The opening ceremony will take place on September 5 at 5 p.m. Medal of Honor recipient, Allen Lynch, will be the keynote speaker.”
“We are expecting a large crowd at this very special, moving event.”
Monee Fall Fest 2024 runs September 6 through 8. Hours are Friday 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m.to 11 p.m. and Sunday 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The annual Fall Fest Parade Monee’s takes place on Saturday, Sept. 7. The parade steps off at 11:30 a.m., winding through the streets of Monee, ending at Firemen’s park.
The fest also will feature a car show, bands, food, vendors, crafters and fireworks.
On Sunday, September 8, from noon to 2 p.m., there will be free carnival rides for special needs kids and adults who would otherwise not be able to enjoy the carnival when it is open to the public.
Lights and sound will be shut off for children and adults who have sensory disorders. Those needing physical assistance on the rides may have (1) person ride with them. The Carnival reserves the right to control which rides will be open for this event. It is not the control of the village.
Registration on the day of the event starts at 11:30 a.m., located at the front of the carnival near the Pharaoh.
More information is available on the village website, VillageOfMonee.org.
Karen Haave is a freelance reporter.