Summer in Oswego

Even though summer has felt like it was here since March, when we were having 80 degree weather, it’s still officially 25 days away. Summer in Oswego will bring trips to the pool and the new splash pad, sunny skies, and lazy days. Summer is the time of year when Oswego is at its best and when you live in Oswego, you sure don’t have to go far to find fun affordable activities! So be sure to mark your calendars for all the upcoming summer events and festivals in downtown Oswego!

First up is LUNAFEST®. LUNAFEST® is a unique film festival that highlights women as leaders in society, illustrated through nine short films by women filmmakers.The films range from animation to fictional drama, and cover topics such as women’s health, motherhood, body image, aging, cultural diversity and breaking barriers. This event is hosted by Village of Oswego Women’s Topics Committee at Pearce’s at Fox Bend Golf Course in Oswego on June 1^st. Join them at 7:00 p.m. social hour and film showing at 7:45 p.m. All proceeds from the event benefit Mutual Ground of Aurora and the Breast Cancer Fund. For more information: http://www.lunafest.org/index.php?/attend-an-event/details/oswego

On June 2^nd Prairie Stitches will host Celebration of Quilts. Oswego’s first quilting festival will take place on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date June 3^rd). Join us outdoors where you will find quilts hanging up and down Main Street and in the storefront windows. Make sure to take a sneak peek at The Marmalade Tree’s window! They’ve done a spectacular job of decorating for the occasion. The celebration will feature quilting demonstrations, appraisals, raffles, bed turnings and vendors. Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts will be the featured speaker.

Another new event this summer is the Oswego Antique Market. Join us on Jackson Street for antiques, artisans, and vintage treasures on the last Sunday of each month, June through October from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Vendor inquiries are still being accepted so please contact Joyce at ReJoyce Design and Consign at 630-554-2995 or 708-721-4985. She would love to hear from you!

While you’re perusing the antique market, make sure to stop by The Country Market on Main Street where you will find some of the best buys in fresh produce, baked goods and hand crafted wares from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. After that, take a break and enjoy some free live music at Hudson Crossing Park with Oswego’s Concerts in the Park series. This year’s lineup includes Trio on June 24^th, Deep Six on July 29^th and Anthony Shape on August 26^th. The final concert will be presented on September 30^th with a band yet to be determined. Bring your blanket, lawn chairs, and picnic items and
enjoy the concert!

A favorite event that takes place in another one of our great parks is, of course, Movies in the Park! What could be better than enjoying a movie under a canopy
of stars?  Mingle with your neighbors and friends, bring a picnic, get lost in a good movie and enjoy the peaceful splendor of Village Green. All movies are free to the public and begin at dusk. Join us for Wall-E on June 6^th, Ratatouille on June 20^th,
Puss in Boots (a personal favorite!) on July 18^th, Antz on August 1^st and Happy Feet on August 15^th.

Father’s Day weekend brings PrairieFest, Oswego’s four day community celebration! Events are held throughout Oswego with the main festival grounds located at PrairieFest Park, located at 91 Plank Road. The event features main stage entertainment, children’s performers, a petting zoo, pony rides, free children’s activities and more. This year Gin Blossoms and 7^thHeaven will headline the main stage! June 14^th-17^th.

Speaking of music, you won’t want to miss the Cabernet Cabaret Concert Series, presented by the Arranmore Center for the Arts, at beautiful Arranmore Farms. If you’re not familiar with this series, it’s an experience best described as “Ravinia Style”, but better! Bring your picnic, wine, and chairs or blanket and kick back and enjoy the night away with friends and neighbors and, of course, live music. The first evening in the series, The First Fling, will be held on June 9^th. July 14^th brings and evening of Dancing in the Dark and September 7^th features Tunes with a Twist. Check out www.arranmorearts.org for more information on the events.

July brings the 4^th of July Fireworks (rain date July 5^th) which are best observed from PrairieFest Park and Prairie Point Elementary School and begin at 9:30 p.m. And of course there is the event that gets everyone’s motors revving, The Annual Oswego Drag Raceway Reunion. Held on Main Street, this is an event that you don’t want to miss! Celebrating one of the most exciting landmarks from Oswego’s past, dragsters, muscle cars, original and altered cars, plus memorabilia will be featured. This year’s event takes place on August 4^th from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. For more information please call 630-554-8554 or email carouselsound@aol.com

As summer winds down, Oswego will host its annual art fair. Renamed as the Art of Oswego, this year’s art fair will feature local artists and have more of a
community flare to it. Guests of all ages will be delighted by an assortment of
attractions including children’s art activities, musical entertainment and art by local artists in a variety of media. Admission to the event is free and all artwork will be available for purchase. Held in Historic Downtown Oswego on Main Street, this year’s event will be a one day affair, on August 19^th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Cultural Arts Committee is still looking for a few good artists. Please log onto scrib’d to download an application. http://www.scribd.com/doc/94344951/Art-Fair-Application

Well, I hope to see you out and about in Oswego this summer! I will definitely being taking advantage of all these great local activities! Make sure to connect with the downtown businesses on their group Facebook
page for more details and don’t forget to stay up to date with all
the events on the Village of Oswego Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Village-of-Oswego-IL/189654477779702)
and the Tourism Bureau Page (http://www.facebook.com/oswegotourismbureau) as well! And as always, don’t forget to shop local in our beautiful Historic
Downtown with its exclusive shops and locally crafted goods. Make sure to stop
by Floral Expressions & Gifts (http://www.floralexpressionsandgifts.net/)
(67 Main Street 630-551-4438) where they’ve added a brand new baby
boutique to their offerings! Join Floral Expressions & Gifts June 1^st-3rd
for the grand opening on Lil Emm’s Baby Boutique. Check this week’s copy of the
Ledger-Sentinel for their grand opening discount! There’s always something
happening in Oswego so don’t miss out! Here’s to a great summer Oswego!