Maywood Fest 2024: Everything You Need to Know

Get ready to celebrate community spirit at Maywood Fest 2024! What started as a simple neighborhood picnic has blossomed into the largest event in Maywood, IL, attracting over thousands of attendees daily.

From Friday, September 6th to Sunday, September 8th, Maywood Veterans Park will be buzzing with live music, food vendors, games, and fun for the entire family. Whether you're a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, Maywood Fest offers something for everyone, making it the perfect way to come together and enjoy the best of what this vibrant community has to offer.

Maywood Festival: How It All Started

Maywood Fest began with a simple idea: to bring the community together for a day of fun at Maywood Veterans Park. What started as a modest community picnic with a few activities has now grown into the largest event in the Village of Maywood, drawing over 5,000 people each day. The festival's evolution reflects the spirit and unity of Maywood, transforming from a small gathering into a three-day celebration filled with diverse vendors, live entertainment, and activities for all ages.

The festival's success is rooted in its ability to cater to the entire community. Kids can enjoy the fun zone, complete with inflatables, face painting, and gaming, while music lovers can look forward to a lineup of live performances on the main stage. Over the years, Maywood Fest has become a beloved tradition, showcasing the best of what Maywood has to offer and serving as a symbol of the village's commitment to unity and community spirit. As it continues to grow, Maywood Fest remains a shining example of how a simple idea can bring a community closer together, year after year.

What to Expect

Maywood Fest 2024 is set to take place from Friday, September 6th to Sunday, September 8th at Maywood Park, located at 4th Avenue & Oak Street. 

The festival kicks off on Friday evening from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, followed by a full day of festivities on Saturday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. 

The celebration wraps up on Sunday, running from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Click here to visit the official festival website.  

Amazing Entertainment

Enjoy amazing entertainment each day:

Friday 

Reggae & House Music Night 5pm-10pm

Kick of the weekend with high energy reggae and house music starting at 5pm featuring Reggae Express, DJ Daphne, DJ Lvelle, DJ Storm, and Chosen Few’s DJ Terry Hunter

Saturday

R&B, Soul, Rock, & Latin- 11am-10pm

The live music will kick off Saturday morning at 11am and have you dancing all day. Performers include Proviso East Marching Band, Flames Cheer, Walther Academy Cheerleaders, Dancing Divas, Ms. Jazzy Line Dancing, Michael Charles, Tematica, Theo Huff, Winn Knoll, Grady Experience Band, Jamo Nu Lyfe Crew, & More

Sunday

Sunsational Sunday 10am-9pm

Settle into your Sunday with worship and gospel music from Able Ministries, Impact Church, Vonie, Tasheba Holland, Rico, The McNary Experience, Roo Street Jaxson Band, Slique, Shorty Mac, Ms. Philly, Harold Dawson, Terisa Griffin. The festival will close out with fireworks! 

Plus, the annual Car and Bike show will kick off at 10am. There will be drawings to win prizes for participants, and trophies going to the best of 10 categories! There's no charge to enter. Categories include Year 2000 and under, Trucks, Motorcycles, Best Exotic Paint and Sound System as well as the Mayor's Choice Trophy! Awards will be presented at 2 p.m. Register on site or in advance. 

Incredible Food

Be sure to come hungry because with this wide variety of food, you’re going to want to try it all. Vendors include:

Click here to visit the official festival website. 

Getting There

Getting to Maywood, IL, is easy, no matter where you're coming from. 

Located just 12 miles west of downtown Chicago, you can hop on I-290 West from the city and reach Maywood in about 20 minutes. 

If you're coming from the northern suburbs, take I-294 South and connect to I-290 East for a quick trip. 

From the west, I-88 East will get you there, while visitors from the south can take I-55 North, then connect to I-294 North. 

For those using public transportation, the Metra Union Pacific West Line has a stop in Maywood, making it convenient for city dwellers and suburban commuters alike. 

Wherever you're coming from, Maywood is easily accessible and ready to welcome you!

Click here to visit the official festival website. 

While You’re in Town

Outside of the fest, Maywood has plenty of local history and culture to explore. Take your own walking tour through the town’s neighborhoods, where you’ll find an incredible variety of architectural styles, from Italianate and Queen Anne to Prairie and Mid-Century Modern. These homes, designed by notable architects like John Van Bergen and William Drummond, reflect the skill and creativity of the era. Don’t miss the Historic Maywood Home for Soldiers’ Widows, a unique historical landmark that stands as a reminder of the town's past.

Maywood also has deep roots in African American history. The West Town Museum of Cultural History, founded in 1995, is dedicated to preserving local Black history. The museum tells the stories of notable figures like Fred Hampton, the Black Panther Party leader who grew up in Maywood, and highlights the town’s role in the Underground Railroad. You can even visit the monument near 1st Avenue and Lake Street that marks the site of the Ten Mile Freedom House, once a refuge for enslaved people on their way to freedom.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Maywood is the starting point for the Illinois Prairie Path, a 61-mile trail ideal for hiking, biking, or simply taking in the beauty of restored prairies and natural landscapes.

Click here to learn more about Maywood’s rich blend of history, architecture, and outdoor activities.