Presale ticket prices for the annual Kewanee Hog Days Festival will remain unchanged this year, according to Hog Days Committee Co-Chair Larry Flannery.

The cost for a sheet of 12 tickets will stay at $10, but that rate applies only to presale purchases, which begin Tuesday, July 1.

Tickets will be available at the following locations:

Kewanee Chamber of Commerce office

CSB North
CSB South
Union Federal Savings and Loan
State Bank of Toulon
PNB

They can also be purchased from any Hog Days committee member.

Flannery said $30,000 worth of carnival tickets will be available, and once they’re sold out, no more presale tickets will be issued. After that, tickets will be sold at the carnival ticket booth during the festival at a higher price.

Proceeds from the presale help fund the festival and keep it affordable for area families.

“We make the most money doing it this way,” Flannery said. “It’s not the case of us being sticks in the mud, financially this helps keep the festival going year after year.”

Flannery said wristbands for unlimited rides aren’t offered because ticket sales cover the bulk of festival costs.

In fact, he said carnival proceeds are the primary funding source for the festival. In strong years—such as the one following the pandemic—the carnival has even paid the committee to set up.

“The carnival doesn’t cost us a single thing and they in fact pay us if it’s successful,” he said.

Flannery encourages residents to buy tickets early: “Get them while you can.” In more recent years, presale tickets have sold out within two to three weeks.

The Hog Days Festival schedule, typically released alongside tickets, will be delayed this year. Flannery expects it to be ready by next week.