With Crossroads Festival fast approaching for 2017, members of the Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce anticipate drawing in a plethora people to the hometown carnival.
The festival runs for three days from Aug. 4, which also features a special needs event in the afternoon, through Aug. 6.
This year’s theme intends to recognize the Village of Shorewood as it looks to celebrate a milestone.
“It’s there 60th anniversary,” said Carol Wagner, president of Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce. “Sunday is dedicated to Shorewood. Birthday cake and pictures from the Village’s past. It will be dedicated to celebrating.”
New to the festival this year is a number of attractions.
“We have a video gaming truck,” Wagner said. “It will be there Friday evening from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. It is $10 for unlimited play and $10 each day. It has the latest Xbox and all the video games out there.”
For the sixth year, Crossroads Festival is hosting its special needs event.
“We kick it off Aug. 4 at 1 p.m. with a carnival pre-party,” Wagner said. “Kids who have special needs will be there. It’s slower pace, there’s no lights, there’s no loud sounds, and there’s no long lines.”
Friends for the Day will provide help to families in need of a helping hand, and Crossroads Festival has a slate of people who will ride the rides with children who need to be accompanied.
“It’s a hometown carnival,” Wagner said of the festival’s appeal. “A lot of families come out, and everyone knows each other.”
The festival will have a number of vendors serving concessions ranging from pizza and tacos to Italian and Polish food.
Headlining the ages 21 and up entertainment tent throughout the weekend will include Back Country Roads, Arra Classic Rock, Strung Out, Hi Infidelity and Generation. To sit in on the acts, the cover charge is $5.
There will be free live entertainment for festivalgoers to enjoy on Eat Street, and it all starts at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 5 with the Millenials set to perform a mix of classic rock, as well as various tunes spanning from the 70’s to current.
“Over the three days each year, 20,000 people come,” Wagner said. “It’s crowded. You have the carnival at one end, the entertainment at the other end. We’ve got a cars show, a petting zoo, and a craft and vendor expo.”
Between a bag’s tournament and eating contests held Aug. 4, festivalgoers will have a plethora of activities to try their luck at winning.
Fireworks will cap off the evening of Aug. 5 and a parade will kick-start the final day of the festivities.
Wagner said the trick to making the most of one’s experience at the festival is simple.
“We pass out the event schedule,” Wagner said. “My suggestion is go through it, mark what you want to do, and check out the event. Make sure you don’t miss it.”
Wagner encourages volunteers to get involved as the event approaches, and said assistance will be needed as carnival ticket sellers and traffic controllers.
The festival is to be presented by Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce with sponsorship provided by Heartland Bank and Trust Company, GMC, D’Arcy Buick-GMC.
For a complete schedule of entertainment and activities, go to https://www.crossroadsfest.com