Community Corner

Organizers: Keepataw Days Must Have Solid Turnout to Cover Costs

Representatives from the Keepataw Days Festival Committee presented information to the village board Monday about this year's event, scheduled for Aug. 31 - Sept. 3.

Organizers of Lemont's annual Keepataw Days Festival say they must have a successful—and hopefully rain-free—weekend this year to cover the costs of the event.

"Our biggest problem has been the bill after the festival... between the parade and the police," said Mike Carey, president of the Keepataw Days committee. "It's going to be difficult moving forward. If we have only a couple of successful nights, we barely break even."

The 63rd annual Keepataw Days Festival will be held Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31 through Sept. 3, in downtown Lemont. Carey presented event plans to the village board Monday night.

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"The date is really the only thing changing. Everything else is staying the same," Carey said. "We're trying to keep it simple."

The Keepataw Days Festival Committee is a nonprofit organization that formed in December 2009 after the festival's longtime sponsor, the Lemont Jaycees, disbanded. The group has put on the event the past two years with the help of donations and local sponsorships.

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This year, the budget is tighter than ever.

"If we don't have three successful nights, we're going to have trouble pulling this off," Carey said.

The organization will need the support of Lemont residents in order to keep the festival going in the future, Carey said.

"We're going to have to regroup after this event. If we don't have three successful nights, we'll have to consider whether we're going to do it again next year," he said.

Last year, the festival was dampened by periodic showers, as well as a severe thunderstorm that produced hail and strong winds.

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Carey said he and committee member Keith Latz are considering expanding the festival's insurance to cover inclement weather. They are also looking at ways to cut back on costs.

"Internally, we're trying to change a few things in order to cover ourselves," Carey said.

The Keepataw Days Festival will be held in downtown Lemont in the , on Canal Street and Bossert Drive. The layout of the carnival rides, games, beer garden and main stage will remain the same.

The festival will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday, Aug. 31; from noon to midnight on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2; and from noon to 10 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 3.

The annual parade will begin at 1 p.m. Monday on Stephen St.

Details on local vendors and entertainment are not yet available.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact the Keepataw Days Committee at keepatawdays@yahoo.com.

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