Oswego Plans to Host New Festival 'Beats and Eats' this Summer

Didn't get enough music and food at Prairiefest? 

There might be a new option coming this summer to Oswego called Beats and Eats, an all-day outdoor concert. 

Community relations manager Michele Brown said at Tuesday night's Village Board meeting the festival would focus on all genres of music and would feature up and coming artists from both around the area and the region.

"We hope to reach a demographic we feel is not being met with any of our current events," said Brown.

The festival was brought to the Village by Oswego businessman and resident Macey Brooks with the idea to celebrate diversity through music, art and food. 

"We felt [the festival] was a good fit for our community," said Brown. "It would help attract new people to the community."

Brooks is a former Chicago Bears wide receiver and CEO of Elite Sports Performance in Oswego. 

The Park District approved land usage for the festival to be held at Prairie Point Park, as the festival also aligns with their goal of bringing culture to the community. The projected date for Beat and Eats would be from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10.

"We envision an all-day concert that each year will showcase up-and-coming national, regional and local musicians paired with some of the best foods and libations of Chicagoland," said Brown.

The Village would work with Brooks to obtain sponsorships for the festival, as well as to attract bands with larger followings, which Brown said is Brooks' specialty. 

Proposed ticket prices would be between $15-$25 for adults and children 10 and under are free.

Several trustees expressed interest in altering the price, possibly by tiers. 

"You get priced out of going to things sometimes," said trustee Jeff Lawson, who said a family would not be as likely to attend if they had to pay that amount for their teenagers. He suggested 16 and under attending free.

Trustee Terry Michels suggested a pricing tier based on age. Trustee Gail Johnson added that junior high students already are attending concerts like the proposed Beats and Eats, which she described as a "suburban Pitchfork."

The other point of contention brought up was how profits would be split. The village is expecting between 5,000 and 10,000 people to attend the first year and estimates the budget to be between $50,000 and $75,000. Brown said they hoped to have at least 50 percent of that amount through sponsors or donations.

Ticket sales are estimated to bring in between $75,000 and $125,000 and the proposal would be to split profits 50/50 between the Village and Macey Brooks, LLC.

Michels asked what would happen if the festival operated at a loss. Brown said the contract had not yet been drawn up and that concern would be addressed and reviewed by a village attorney.

"The reason we felt this would be a really good event is it is not being done in other comunites," said Brown. "We want to have a unique aspect and a great event for Oswego."