The Francis Park Festival on July 4 will return. For the third year, organizer John Wirth and a group of volunteers are preparing for the big day.
“Everyone here has been working really hard on it and everyone has been good about supporting it,” said Wirth. “A big thank you to the city and businesses.”
The annual festival at Francis Park, located three miles east of Kewanee off Route 34, had been discontinued for years due to lack of volunteers. But two years ago, Wirth’s car club group brought back the car show portion of the festival. After attendees clamored for the return of other components of the original festival, the group brought those back, too.
In 2023, the Francis Park Festival included cars, tractors, food and a craft and flea market, and much of that will stay the same, Wirth said. But a new event, Valve Cover Racing has been added, and a track has been built.
The festival is billed as a “family-friendly” event, said Wirth, who hopes people will come out to support their efforts again this year.
Here’s what to expect on Thursday, July 4 at the Francis Park Festival:
Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and goes to 11 a.m. Judging begins at 11 a.m. The entry fee is $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the show. Trophies will be awarded for Best of Show in the categories of car, truck and motorcycle; Best Rat Rod and Best BHE Student Choice.
Proceeds for the car show will benefit Honor Flight, KHS Life Skills and Hog Capital Wildlife Rescue.
Tractor and Farm Equipment Show: The tractor cruise from Walmart to Francis Park will begin at 8 a.m. More information about the show can be obtained by contacting Brett Bennet at (309) 525-4055 or Mark Rose at (309) 854-1539.
Music and Entertainment will be provided by 3D Sound.
The Craft and Flea Market will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information on reserving a space, call Brenda Kegebein at (309) 853-9419.
A Valve Cover Race will also take place. For event rules, go to https://pantowners.org/valve-cover-race-rules.
Door Prizes, 50/50 Drawing and Raffle are also planned. Festival attendees can also bring a nonperishable food item and be entered into a drawing for a cash prize.
Food vendors will be on site and the event will go on as planned, rain or shine.
Platinum event sponsors for the car show and festival are Gustafson Ford, Ace Hardware and IHMVCU.
For questions or additional information, contact Wirth by phoning (309) 525-2469 or by email at sccc2020@yahoo.com.
