Top 5 Things to do at Frankfort Fall Fest

Frankfort Fall Festival

Downtown Historical Frankfort
Between Kansas & White Streets, Frankfort
(815) 469-3356

 

 

The 48th Annual Frankfort Fall Festival and Carnival has become known all over the United States as one of the best traditional arts and crafts shows with artisans eager to be part of the Festival. The main festival featuring 300 artisan craft vendors is Saturday through Monday. The carnival takes places Wednesday, August 31st through Monday, September 5th. This festival is one the whole family will enjoy or maybe plan a girls' day out with shopping and more. The theme for this year's Frankfort Fall Festival is all about "Happy Days", which celebrates the mid-60’s when the festival first started. So, HEEEYYYY, throw on your leather jacket or poodle skirt and make your "Happy Day" moment among the 300 artisan booths, food court, beer tent, carnival rides and more.

Click here for more information from the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce regarding parking, first aid, no pets, etc.

Make certain to take pictures and tag them with #FFF16 at #ChicagoSouthland!

1. Shop the Artisan Booths & Craft Fair

This is the best time of year to shop at craft fairs and the Frankfort Fall Festival will not disappoint. Shop for Fall or holiday decorations or buy one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family. Shop local vendors who take pride in their work! Over 300 artisans from both coasts and everywhere in-between will be in Frankfort on Labor Day weekend for this spectacular event! You will be able to purchase everything from handmade ornaments to fine jewelry and then some! A list of artisans by category can be found here and will be helpful in finding the clothing / accessories for kids to pets and metal work to wood furnishings. It's truly a site to see and comfortable walking shoes are encouraged. This part of the festival is a big reason Sunshine Artist Magazine continues to recognize Frankfort Fall Festival as one of the top twelve U.S. Festivals in the country. The Artisan Booths & Craft Fair dates and times are Saturday, September 3rd and Sunday, September 4th from 10AM-6PM and Monday, September 5th from 10AM-5PM.

2. Carnival Rides and Fun

The Midwest is truly one of the best places to travel during Autumn and the Frankfort Fall Festival is the place to be to capture a Midwest Moment with the kids. There are rides for each age group of kids to enjoy. The carnival is open from 5-9PM on Wednesday (8/31) and Thursday (9/1) with the $25 Pay One Price unlimited ride wrist band available these days only. On Friday (9/2) the carnival will be open from 3-5PM exclusively for kids with special needs. Then from 5-9:30PM it is open to all. Saturday (9/3) and Sunday (9/4) all kids and adults can enjoy the rides from 12-9:30PM. On Labor Day (9/5) the carnival will be open from 12-5PM. This is planned largely by The Frankfort Fire Protection District Foundation which is a non-for-profit organization comprised of the past and present members of the Fire Department.

3. Live Concerts

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days! Saturday, what a day, groovin' all week with you. Be sure to spend some relaxing time on the Breidert Green over the holiday weekend! In between the band performances on the Breidert Green, there will be hula hoop and jitter bug contests. There will also be music to jive to at the BETA Team Entertainment & Beer Tent, located at North Oak Street. Slick back the hair, dig out the poodle skirt and saddle shoes and get ready for a Rockin good time!

Friday, September 2nd
Five Guys Named Moe (Classic Rock) 7:30-11PM - BETA Team Entertainment Tent

Saturday, September 3rd
The Stingers (60s - 70s music and much more) 11AM-1PM - Breidert Green
Saints N Sinners (60s - 70s) 1-6PM - BETA Tent
The Sunshine Band (Folk) 2-3:30PM - Breidert Green
The Thompson Duo (50s, 60s & 70s) 4:30-6PM - Breidert Green
Midlife Crisis (60s to today) 7-9PM - BETA Tent

Sunday, September 4th
Rosie & the Rivets (50s & 60s) 11AM-1:30PM - Breidert Green
Timing's Everything (Popular Music) 1-5PM - BETA Tent
Briggs Street Band (Classic) 2-4:30PM - Breidert Green
Unusual Chaos (Variety) 4:30-6:30PM - Breidert Green
Funhouse Chicago (80s Rock) 7-11PM - BETA Tent

Monday, September 5th
Phylis Renee Marconi (Variety) 11AM-1PM - Breidert Green
The Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club (Rock) 12-4PM - BETA Tent
The Real Gone (50s-60s) 2-4PM - Breidert Green

4. Eat Up!

You've probably built up an appetite after shopping and rocking out, so head over to the food court, which is run entirely by local civic organizations in conjunction with local businesses.  So, you can feel good grabbing a bite to eat at Fall Festival because you know you will be helping local non-profits and small businesses. From smoothies, to bacon dogs, to funnel cakes you can find it in the food court!! You'll also want to sip on a popular lemon shake-up. Here is a list of all the food and goodies to enjoy at Fall Festival including Team Aurelio's Pizza Bosco Sticks, Frankfort Area Jaycees Deep Fried Oreos, Frankfort Kiwanis Club Zeppole Donuts and more. If you can only go out Thursday, September 1st, head over to the BETA Entertainment Tent on North Oak Street and grab a Thuringer platter with a Warsteiner beer at the Frankfort Lions Club 35th Annual Wurst Festival from 6-10:30PM. Frankfort Lions have invited the German American Heritage Center as special guests and music entertainment will be provided by Peter Hoffmann. The Bier Stube will provide Thuringer and brat platters, German potato salad and strudel for purchase at the tent throughout the evening. Warsteiner and domestic beers, wine and water will also be available for purchase along with the Frankfort Lions Wurst Festival commemorative beer steins. More information about Thursday's Wurst Festival can be found here.

5. Watch the Parade

One of the most beloved parts of the Frankfort Fall Festival weekend is the parade, which steps off at 1PM Sunday (9/4) from Pacific and Maple. The parade proceeds east on Pacific, turns North on Oak, turns East on Utah, turns North on Ash, turns West on Nebraska and ends at Locust. So grab a blanket or lawn chair, a bag for all of the goodies handed out and get a spot along the route!

Helpful Festival Information

We want to see the Frankfort Fall Festival through your eyes!

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For the full schedule, click HERE.

To learn more about the festival click HERE.

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