Braidwood Lions Summerfest was like, totally awesome

Throwing back to the beginning, the Braidwood Lions celebrated the 42nd Annual Summerfest with “An 80s Rewind” theme.

And, despite a storm that shut things down a little early on Friday night, the four day event proved to be totally tubular.

The festival kicked off on Thursday with a gnarly rock and blues dance party thanks to DJ Roy Gregory, while the food court, carnival rides, beer garden and bingo left folks enjoying themselves to the max.

Friday was a bodacious performance from Nashville Electric Company until, gag me with a spoon, lightning and rain refused to take a chill pill, causing the evening to end a bit early.

But the festival was back at it all day Saturday, as all the youngsters vegged out for a relaxing baby contest under the Lions Pavilion, then luckily no one ralphed at the pie eating contest.

Saturday night’s entertainment by 80s theme band The Brat Pack was a totally radical performance of all the best 80s hits.

And on Sunday, all the local dudes and dudettes lined up along Main Street for another exciting parade, and the Baked Potatoes gave a neato performance followed by a most excellent fireworks show.

Did we forget all the fun of the carnival, food court, flea market, baseball tournament, and other legit times of Summerfest? As if!

The Lions posted this thank you to the public on their Facebook page after the festival:

“As we turn the page on another Summerfest, we would like to thank you all for coming out and supporting our annual festival. It was great to see all of our old friends while making some new ones as well. This year was definitely a success and we couldn't have done it without the support of our community and surrounding areas. Summerfest is our club's largest fundraiser of the year with all proceeds going back into the community in one way, shape or form. “A huge thanks to all of our dedicated volunteers who put in so many hours, spending long days, late nights and early mornings over the course of the weekend to make everything happen. It's a big undertaking by a small army and we couldn't be more thankful for all of them.

“We would also like to thank all of our corporate sponsors for their support and contributions which helps to ensure that we are able to provide the free live entertainment for festival attendees to enjoy.

“Be sure to check out our photo album which is filled with amazing photos taken by our official volunteer festival photographer.”

If you’re as upset as we are that Summerfest is over, Frankie say relax! The 43rd Annual Braidwood Lions Summerfest will return to Old Smokey City Park July 18 through July 21, 2024.