Montgomery is gearing up to celebrate the 40th Montgomery Fest this summer along the Fox River. There are 75 days remaining until the much-anticipated Fest, which kicks off in Montgomery Park from August 15 to 17. For the last forty years, Montgomery Fest has been a cherished tradition, bringing together neighbors, friends, and families to enjoy a weekend of old-fashioned summer festivities.
When Montgomery Fest began in 1984, the Village of Montgomery was home to approximately 3,000 residents. Today more than 21,000 residents call Montgomery home. The event offers a variety of activities and events making for an unforgettable weekend filled with community spirit, entertainment, and family fun.
Event Highlights include:
- Live Entertainment
- Visitors can enjoy performances by local and regional bands throughout the weekend. Headliners include Sonora Dinamita (Cumbia Tribute) on Friday, 52nd Street – Music of Billy Joel on Saturday, and Semple (70s Rock to Modern Pop) on Sunday evening.
- Carnival
- Windy City Amusements will be onsite providing thrilling rides and games for all ages, with unlimited ride wristbands available at specific times throughout the weekend.
- Food Vendors
- Fest favorites and several new food vendors provide a diverse selection of delicious foods to satisfy every palate.
- Beverage Tent
- Hosted by the Montgomery Foundation, the beverage tent will offer a variety of beer and seltzer options this year.
- Car Show
- The Historic Preservation Commission hosts their annual fundraiser Car Show in Austin Park, featuring classic and custom vehicles. Cars can register in advance or onsite on the day of the show, Saturday, August 16.
- Craft & Market Place
- During the day on Saturday and Sunday craft and market vendors will be onsite along River St. with their handmade and custom curated products for sale. Come support local artisans, nonprofits, and organizations looking to engage with the Montgomery community.
- Family Fest
- For the second year, the fest will host Family Fest on Saturday from 10A-2P which includes free interactive activities and entertainment for children and families along River St. Activities include Touch-A-Truck, Chalk with a Cop, Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles, Miss Jamie’s Farm, and ScribbleMonster.
- Trivia on Stage
- This year, Saturday afternoon will feature Trivia. Teams are welcome to register in advance to hold their place (a limited number of teams allowed). Teams will get a commemorative Village of Montgomery picnic blanket and a reserved area for the teams by the stage for Trivia by Go4ItEntertainment.
- Carp Fishing Derby
- One of the activities that inspired Montgomery Fest four decades ago, continues as hundreds line the shores of the Fox River on Sunday morning for a fun competition for fishing enthusiasts. Winners not only get bragging rights, but also receive a trophies in kid and adult categories sponsored by Dicky's Bait Shop.
- Parade
- The parade steps off at 1P for traditional showcasing of community organizations and local talent through downtown Montgomery.
- Fireworks Display
- The celebration culminates with a spectacular fireworks show on Sunday evening, August 17 at 9P.
As the countdown continues, the Village of Montgomery invites everyone to join in celebrating this milestone event. For more information, including schedules and vendor applications, please visit the official Montgomery Fest website at montgomeryil.org/montgomeryfest.
Event Details:
- Dates: August 15–17, 2025
- Location: Montgomery Park, 301 N. River St., Montgomery, IL
- Admission: Free for all attendees.
- Parking/Shuttles: Parking in the downtown area is free without time restrictions. Shuttles are available to avoid street parking. The shuttle brings guests right to the downtown area and runs continuously throughout the fest hours each day.
Event & Media Contact:
Rosie Boeing, Community Engagement & Event Coordinator
Email | rboeing@montgomeryil.org
Direct | 331-212-9008
PRINT MEDIA | Download a PDF of the 2025 Event Promotional Flyer
MEDIA GALLERY | View and Download Past Fest Images