Letter: PrairieFest a sight for sore eyes

To the Editor:

The view from PrairieFest’s Main Stage was a sight for sore eyes this weekend.

The Oswegoland Park District was thrilled to bring everyone back to PrairieFest Park after 810 days. We loved seeing all the friends, families, neighbors and groups come together again.

Thank you to our integral partners at the Oswego Fire Protection District and the Oswego Police Department. Our close work with them over this festival weekend is a keen reminder of how fortunate our residents are to have their service.

A full weekend of free entertainment is not possible without sponsors. Many of our businesses returned to supporting the festival after a tough year of their own. We are so grateful to FNBO, Groot, Oswego Brewing Company, and Ron Westphal Chevrolet for their Premier Partner support.

Hundreds of volunteers gave us their time throughout the weekend. Some drove shuttles, picked up trash, kept runners on course or maybe directed the parade. We are so grateful for the time they gave. We humbly and sincerely thank them for creating a PrairieFest truly hosted by the community.

I personally want to thank my Oswegoland Park District co-workers. This staff continued to cut grass, prepare budgets, organize soccer schedules, take fall registration and deliver their high-quality park district experiences while taking on the elements of a large festival. There were 73 events as part of this year’s festival. Between the Expo Village and the food offerings, the obstacle courses and the activities, they make magic. There is not a harder-working staff. It is such a privilege to work with every one of them.

Thank you to all of Oswegoland for adjusting to a rare weekend in September and having so much fun with us. Let’s not wait so long to get together next time! See you June 13-16 for PrairieFest 2022.

Kristie Vest

Superintendent of Events and Cultural Arts

Oswegoland Park District

Oswego