Matt Brolley: Plans set for the return of Montgomery Fest to village’s downtown

The village of Montgomery is proud to announce that the 36th annual Montgomery Fest is back Aug. 13 to 15. I am grateful to the trustees and staff for their dedication to make this fest happen despite the continued cancellation of several area fests. It is a true testament of their passion and commitment to the Montgomery community.

The fest will once again feature a packed, three-day schedule featuring live entertainment, carnival, food, beer tent, fishing derby, parade, car show, fireworks and more. I hope that you and your family will have a chance to come out, socialize and enjoy the fest. The Montgomery Foundation once again is hosting the beer tent, where I will be serving alongside other foundation volunteers and community members. Please stop by and say hello. Proceeds from the Montgomery Fest beer tent go directly back into our community through Montgomery Foundation scholarships and grants for Montgomery residents in need.

Once again, we will be providing free shuttle service from two locations within the community: Lakewood Creek Elementary School, 2301 Lakewood Creek Drive, and the U-Haul Parking Lot, 1900 Douglas Road, near Douglas and Route 30. Shuttle buses will run about every half hour from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. In addition, on-site street parking is available for the fest and in the Lyon Metal parking lot, 421 N. Main St. just west of the fest.

We could not do this fest without our strong partners, such as Fox Valley Park District, who allows the village to use Montgomery Park as the central location of the fest. Additionally, I would like to thank Aurora Township, Oswegoland Park District, the Montgomery & Countryside Fire Protection District, KenCom, Kane County Health Department, the VFW Post 7452, and the residents living close to the fest who see three days of increased activity in their neighborhood.

I am excited to share that we will honor three grand marshals this year as part of the parade Sunday, Aug. 15 (step-off at 1 p.m.). This year’s marshals represent three longtime village restaurants. We thank Peter Metrou (Grandma’s Table), Nancy Metrou (Dairy Queen), and John and Irene Vlahos (Poor Boy’s) for choosing Montgomery as their locations for a cumulative of more than 75 years.

I would be remiss if I didn’t personally thank the sponsors that generously support this year’s fest: Aurora University (Diamond Partner), Blain’s Farm & Fleet, Engineering Enterprises Inc., The Lakone Company, Montgomery Foundation, Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete, SecondSale Books, Chiquita Food Market, Feeding Frenzy, Golden China Buffet, Gray’s Mill Estate, Massacre Haunt Inc., MetroNet, Mickey, Wilson, Weiler, Renzi, Lenert & Julien P.C., Orchard Road Animal Hospital, Performance Foodservice, State Farm, Loreto Arzola, Walmart, Waubonsee Community College, Andersen Plumbing & Heating Inc., Bank of Montgomery, Builder’s Paving LLC., Coffman Truck Sales, Earthmover Credit Union, Euclid Beverage, First National Bank, Friends of the Oswego Library District, Genoa Italian Concessions, Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Industrial Lumber, Keith Wheeler campaign, Lakeshore Recycling Systems, Mi Space Storage, Pizzo & Associates, Responsive Network Services and RJ Keck Pipe & Supply.

For information, please visit montgomeryil.org. I hope to see you in Montgomery Park on Aug. 13, 14 and 15.

• Matt Brolley is Montgomery village president.