Coal City to celebrate this weekend with annual Fall Fest

The community will gather this weekend in celebration of the citizens of Coal City.

Coal City’s Village and Park Boards, with the support of local businesses and organizations, will host the third annual Fall Fest—an event that will usher in a new season—on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Fall Fest will include a variety of activities for citizens of all ages including a classic car show, 5K fundraising run, live music, a makers court, food and games.

The festival will get underway at 3 p.m. with the car show on South Broadway north of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad crossing. The car show, organized by the Coachman Car Club, will continue until 6 p.m. with a celebrity’s choice award being presented.

That is the time the annual Megan’s Mission 5K run/walk will step off from the 700 block of S. Broadway—in front of Babes’s Tap. Proceeds from the fun run will support the Megan’s Mission Foundation’s efforts to fund childhood cancer research and advocacy.

The race course will have runners heading south on Broadway to Reed Road with a turn around at Cardinal Transport that will bring the runners back into town.

Registration for the run/walk is still open at runsignup.com/RaceIL/CoalCity/MegansMission.

Fall Fest will also provide citizens an opportunity to participate in a variety of games, inflatables and activities in and around Campbell Memorial Park. There will be a touch-a-truck event located on Center Street featuring a variety of public works vehicles and equipment, and even a cement truck provided by Coal City Redi-Mix.

A Makers Court featuring local artists and businesses will be located at Broadway and Chestnut Streets from 3-6 p.m.. Laura and Tyler Jones, of The Cove, are organizing this part of the festival.

Mayor Dave Spesia and the Village Board will recognize the 2023 Community Service Award recipient at 5 p.m. Saturday in front of Babe’s Tap. The honored citizen will be selected by town trustees based on nominations from the community. The name of the winner will be announced during the Board’s meeting this evening—Wednesday, Sept. 13.

The village has arranged for a variety of musical entertainment with Retro Circus playing from 6-9 p.m. and Bad Choices taking over the stage from 9-11 p.m. The bands will be located in the parking lot of Bob’s Advanced Auto & Tire. The Coal City Lions Club will be operating the beer garden.

Village Administrator said the number of food vendors has increased from prior years. Picture Me Smokin’ returns to the festival, as well as the Boy Scouts and Club Scouts who will be grilling bratwurst. Mustachio’s is joining the line up this year as well as two additional vendors offering ribs and Italian beef sandwiches.

The Coal City Presbyterian Church will be selling turkey poorboys from the concession stand in Campbell Park and Beans-n-Bites will have a stand in front of Onorato Real Estate during the car show.

Street closures will be in effect during the festival and will run from Walnut Street north to Church Street. Additional streets to the south will be closed off during the 5K.

The town celebration will kick-off on Friday, Sept. 15 as Bob’s Advanced Auto & Tire will hold a customer appreciation event in their parking lot starting at 6 p.m. with food, beverages and music by Southbound Chicago, group that specializes in southern rock and the classics.

Motorists are advised that South Broadway between Park and Chestnut streets will be close for the Friday night kick-off event.