2024 Harvest Fest
Presented by
Steve Ostrowski State Farm Agency
About Harvest Fest
Wildwood Park District’s Harvest Fest is a free one-day event where residents and non-residents come out for a fun filled day to celebrate the beginning of the fall season. Attendees can enjoy live music and entertainment on the main stage, beer tent, delicious food, antique car show, dunk tank with local celebrities, games, kids activities, petting zoo, pony rides, pumpkin and face painting, decorated lake front photo op area, vendor booths, sponsor booths, and more!
Thanks to the hard work of the Harvest Fest Planning Committee, the Harvest Fest event has seen tremendous growth year after year. Now a well-know and well-attended staple of the Wildwood community, Harvest Fest typically attracts between 800 – 1,000 festival goers.
Know Before You Go
Below is helpful information regarding parking, what to bring/what not to bring, accepted payment methods, activity and game tickets, and emergency action plan that will help ensure you have the best possible and safest experience at Harvest Fest. Additional questions can be directed to the Wildwood Park District office at 847.223.7275 or info@wildwoodparkdistrict.com.
Parking
- Walking is HIGHLY encouraged for Wildwood residents.
- Limited ADA and General Parking is available at Rule Park where the event takes place. ADA parking is located on the west side of the Rule Park entrance on Sears Blvd. ADA drop-off is also available at Rule Park entrance on Sears Blvd. General parking is located on the right-of-way on Sears Blvd. (please park vertically to allow more vehicles to park).
- Additional ADA and General Parking is available at Willow Point Park (33666 N. Cove Rd.). Once parked at Willow, follow directional signage or ask parking attendants to make your way to the festival. The entrance to a paved ADA path is located in the cul-de-sac of Woodland Terrace adjacent to Willow Point Park that leads to the festival.
What to Bring/What Not to Bring
- Event is rain or shine so please dress accordingly.
- Bring lawn chairs, sun screen, bug spray, and cash/card for food, beverages, and tickets.
- Friendly dogs are allowed, however, they must remain leashed and with their owner at all times. Please make sure to clean up after your pet. A Mutt Mitt dispenser is located near the Rule Park exit to Rule Ct.
- No motorized vehicles (including but not limited to golf carts, four wheelers, dirt bikes, mopeds/scooters) will be allowed in Rule Park during the event, with the exception of emergency vehicles, Wildwood Park District vehicles, and vendor vehicles who have received prior approval. This, of course, does not apply to ADA mobility devices.
- Outside alcohol of any kind is strictly prohibited.
- No firearms allowed.
Accepted Payment Methods
- The Wildwood Park District accepts cash or card payments for ticket sales (tickets are for activities such as face painting, games, pony rides, petting zoo, etc.), and our popcorn and water sales.
- All other vendors (food, beverage, business) are responsible for their own transactions and accepted payment methods. We suggest having both card and cash on hand.
- There will not be an ATM on-site since the Wildwood Park District accepts cash and card payments.
Activity and Game Tickets
Activity and game tickets are good for activities and games ONLY. All food, beverage, beer tent, and business vendor and sponsor sales are cash and/or card only. Activity and game tickets will not work at the beer tent, or with food, and/or business vendors and sponsors.
Emergency Action Plan
Schedule of Events
Free Entertainment
10am-3pm: Car Show (Classic, New, and Special Interest Cars)
12-12:30pm: Stillman Nature Center Owl and Hawk Demonstration (Main Stage)
12-6:00pm: Wildwood History Museum (Cottage Building)
12:45-1:45pm: TBD (Main Stage)
2-2:45pm: TOPS K-9 Dog Show (Main Stage)
3-3:30pm: Magic of Gary Kantor (Main Stage)
4-6pm: School of Rock (Main Stage)
Food & Beverage
12-6pm: Beer Tent (Miller Lite, Coors Light, Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest, Angry Orchard Hard Cider, White Claw, and Water)
Wildwood Park District Donuts, Popcorn, and Water
Gagewood Lions Club Food Tent (Burgers, Brats, Walking Tacos, Chips, and Soda)
Stone Grill & Catering Food Tent (Assorted Spring Rolls and Fries)
Kiki’s Cotton Candy/Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
Kids Activities
12-6pm: Pony Rides and Petting Zoo
Warren Township Highway Department Touch-A-Truck
Dunk Tank
Pumpkin Painting
Gages Lake Conservation Committee Minnow Races
Troop 671 Rope Bridge
Troop 672 Wild Wild West
Bounce House
Photo Op Area (Lake Front Fishing Pavilion)
3:30pm: Water Balloon Toss
Vendor and Sponsor Areas
12-6pm: Browse and shop from local business vendors and sponsors!
Event Map
Please check back for the 2024 event map, as it will be posted here once available.
Vendors
Becoming a vendor in our vendor area at Harvest Fest is an easy way for you to market your business, gain exposure, connect directly with your target audience, and find new customers. Vendors have the chance to meet people in your area and let them know that you are their local connection for your business. Harvest Fest is a very well attended event and can have a high return on your investment.
What to Know
- The cost of a booth is $50.
- Vendor area is open from 12pm – 6pm.
- Vendors will be approved on a first-come first-served basis, and applications will be date and time stamped once received.
- No duplicate vendors will be accepted, with the exception of accessories, jewelry, garden, produce, and/or floral.
What is Included in the Booth Fee?
- 10 X 10 booth space. Vendor provides their own tent, signage, chairs, and 6-8 foot (max) table.
- The Park District can provide a 6-8 foot table and two chairs for an additional $10 flat fee (orders due September 1st, checks only).
- Electricity will not be provided.
Application and Map
Vendor registration for the 2024 Harvest Fest event has not yet begun. All attending 2023 vendors will have early priority registration before registration opens to the public.
Attending Vendors
Please check back for 2024 attending vendors.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsoring Wildwood Park District’s Harvest Fest event provides many benefits to your business, as well as the local community.
Increase Exposure and Visibility
By becoming a sponsor, your company name and logo will be featured in digital and printed promotional materials and publications that reach thousands of people in the Wildwood, Gages Lake and Grayslake area.
Connect with the Community
The Wildwood Park District offers programs and events for all ages, youth to seniors. Each sponsor level provides businesses the opportunity to directly interact with community members so you can connect with your specific target audience.
Find the Right Fit
Our flexible tiered sponsor levels offer businesses of all sizes the opportunity to be involved. Starting as low as $100, we work with you to find the right fit for your budget.
Build Company Reputation
It’s always good to see businesses use their platform for good, especially within their own community. Share your values and make a positive impact by showing your customers the human side of your business through the sponsorships you endorse.
Download Sponsorship Guide and Application
Volunteer Opportunities
The Wildwood Park District relies heavily on volunteers and is currently seeking volunteers, ages 14+, to help with Harvest Fest to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely. Even a few hours makes a big difference! We offer many different volunteer opportunities, such as helping with set-up, running kids activities, assisting with logistics, working the beer tent, and much more! Whether you’re seeking more social interaction, community service hours, or just looking to get involved and give back, volunteering has many career, educational, personal, and social benefits.
Sign Up to Volunteer
- To volunteer, please click the “Sign Up to Volunteer” button below and sign up for one or multiple shifts. Once you have signed up, you will need to sign a volunteer application/waiver and volunteer manual.
2. Once you have signed up to volunteer, you will need to fill out and sign a volunteer application/waiver and volunteer manual. Forms can be submitted to info@wildwoodparkdistrict.com, faxed to 847.223.2820, or mailed/drop off at the Park District front desk:
Download the Volunteer Application
