VetFest Returns This Weekend With Stacked Lineup: What To Expect

Oswego IL

24 August, 2021

1:30 PM

Description

OSWEGO, IL — VetFest is returning to Oswego this weekend at the newly opened Venue 1012. Mötley Crüe lead Vince Neil and country band LOCASH are among the eight artists scheduled to perform at the four-day concert series starting Thursday. The fest is the first major event happening at Venue 1012 — named after its address of 1012 Station Drive — which had its grand opening Aug. 19. The new performing arts and entertainment venue is located along Oswego's Orchard Road corridor on land donated to the village by Kevin Fialko, who owns the neighboring Oswego Junction Shopping Center, in 2019. Steve Buresh's Cheesecake Store & Sandwich Shop and New China Hut are a couple of the businesses right around the corner from the amphitheater. RELATED: Oswego's New Venue 1012 Officially Opens After Two Years Of Plans Organized by the VetFest 141 Foundation, the concert series will raise money for local charities that focus on supporting veterans and the Oswego School District 308. Through the one-for-one ticket model, veterans, military personnel, first responders and frontline workers can get free admission to the event. Those who can't make it to the festival also have the option to buy a burger or beer for a veteran through VetFest's website. "Our veterans and first responders deserve this recognition, but also support throughout the year," Chris Skilnik, the event's co-organizer, said in an earlier statement. "We are passionate about giving back to organizations that can provide support for our Veterans. This year, we've added front-line medical professionals to our list of heroes after all they have been through. We can't thank you all enough for your service." Skilnik didn't respond to Patch's request for comment at the time of publication. Tickets can be purchased on the event's website. Below is a full lineup of performers at VetFest. Thursday, Aug. 26 The Man In Black, a tribute to Johnny Cash, starring Shawn Barker with special guest Hillbilly Rockstarz Doors: 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27 LOCASH with special guest Jacob BryantDoors: 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28 Vince Neil with special guests Matthew and Gunnar Nelson Doors: 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29 7th Heaven with Eagles tribute One of These NightsDoors: 4 p.m. "When we first began imagining this space just two years ago, I envisioned the kind of stage that could be both home to our local Oswego talent and a space for other big-name acts to entertain our residents and raise funds for great causes," Mayor Troy Parlier said in a statement. "The amazing lineup for this year's VetFest and the other great community events lined up for this fall are proof that what we've built here is truly something for the whole community to enjoy." While the musicians perform onstage, fest-goers can also choose to visit the carnival on any of the four days. Veterans, military personnel and first responders ride for free from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Ahead of the festival, Oswego police said drivers and residents should expect more congestion and delays on Orchard Road, Mill Road and Station Drive. Parking for VetFest will be available in several places as well. General event parking can be found on the grass fields along Mill Road, and handicap spots will be located at Cadence Academy Preschool, 1020 Station Drive. Visitors using rideshare to get to the festival should set 1031 Station Drive as the drop-off and pick-up location, police said Monday. (For more news and information like this, subscribe to the Oswego Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook!)