KEWANEE — Kewanee will host its annual Hog Days festival from August 29 through September 1, featuring carnival rides, the world’s largest outdoor pork barbecue, a parade, craft and flea markets, pony rides, mud volleyball, a stampede run, classic car displays, live music at multiple venues, and family-friendly activities across downtown and local parks.
“We will be cooking over 30,000 chops and pork patties, we’ve got the regular venue of fair items, a carnival, flea market, a lot of other events, a big, huge parade, a four-mile run, lots of activities, mud volleyball, you name it.” — Mark Mikenas, Executive Director of the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce, describing the upcoming Hog Days festivities.
Events include the C.D.A.C. Carnival, Epic Hot Dog Eating Contest, Hog Days Parade, Epic Outdoor Pork Barbecue, round barn tours, book sales, museum visits, and Kids Day attractions. Activities run from early morning through late evening, providing food, entertainment, and community gatherings throughout the four-day holiday weekend.
Friday, August 29 – Monday, September 1
C.D.A.C. Carnival & Concessions – Downtown streets; Friday 4–11 PM, Sat/Sun 11 AM–11 PM, Monday 11 AM–4 PM.
Epic Outdoor Pork Barbecue – Downtown Kewanee, Chestnut & Third Sts.; Sat/Sun 11 AM–8 PM, Monday 11 AM–5 PM. Drive-thru Sat/Sun 11 AM–7 PM, Monday 11 AM–3 PM.
Hog Days Flea Market & Craft Show – West Liberty Park; Sat/Sun 9 AM–dusk, some vendors Fri & Mon.
Kewanee Historical Society Museum – 125 N. Tremont St.; 10 AM–4 PM.
Pig Palace Souvenir Shoppe – 306 N. Main St.; Sat/Sun 12–8 PM.
Friday, August 29
The Great Shaddeni – Near Ed Morse Stage, 6–7 PM; card tricks.
Live Concert: Brushville – Ed Morse Stage, 7 PM, country music.
Epic Hot Dog Eating Contest – The Doghouse, 611 Beach St., 7 PM; 21+; no entry fee.
Hog Days Late Night Live – Local bars, 10 PM–midnight.
Saturday, August 30
Friends of Kewanee Library Book Sale – Johnson Appliance lot, 7–11 AM.
Senior Citizen’s Hog Days Breakfast – Senior Center, 200 E. South St., 7–10 AM; $10.
Hog Days Farmer’s Market – West Park, 7–11 AM.
49th Annual Hog Days Stampede Run/Walk – YMCA, 8 AM–1 mile/kids run 9:30 AM.
DAR Open House – 610 Park Ave., 9 AM–12 PM; includes bake sale.
Live at West Park: Jason Hamilton the Magic Man – 11 AM–2 PM; balloon art.
Ryan’s Round Barn Tours – Johnson’s Sauk Trail State Park, 12–4 PM.
Hog Days at Hill All Family Carnival – Hill Church, 107 N. Main St., 12–2 PM; games, bouncy house.
Hog Days Parade – Starts at East & 2nd St., 2 PM.
After the Parade Concert: Kewanee Boilermakers Band – Ed Morse Stage, ~4:15–4:45 PM.
Live Music at West Park – 4–6 PM.
Live Music at BBQ Tent: Chris Stevens – Chestnut & Third Sts., 3:30–6:30 PM.
The Great Shaddeni – 6–7 PM.
Live Concert: Decade of Decadence – Ed Morse Stage, 7 PM.
Hog Days Late Night Live – Local bars, 10 PM–midnight.
Sunday, August 31
39th Hog Wallow Mud Volleyball Classic – Chautauqua Park, 8 AM.
Hog Days Pony Rides – Chautauqua Park, 11 AM–2 PM.
Live Music at West Park: James Herr – 11 AM–2 PM.
Ryan’s Round Barn Tours – 11 AM–4 PM.
55th Annual Ray Behnke Model T & A Road Rally – Midland Plaza, 11:30 AM; car exhibit 3 PM downtown.
Live Music at BBQ Tent: Ryan Smith – 11 AM–2 PM.
Live at West Park: Jason Hamilton – 1–4 PM.
Community Church Service – Ed Morse Stage, 2 PM.
Live Music: Jazz on the Side – Tremont St., 2–4 PM.
Live Music at West Park – 3–6 PM.
Live Music at BBQ Tent: Dave Bertchtold & the Tucked In T’s – 3–6 PM.
Live Music Downtown – Tremont St., 4:30–6:30 PM.
The Great Shaddeni – 6–7 PM.
Live Concert: Revel in Red – Ed Morse Stage, 7 PM.
Hog Days Late Night Live – Local bars, 10 PM–midnight.
Monday, September 1
53rd Annual Fly-in/Drive-in Pancake Breakfast – Kewanee Municipal Airport, 7–11 AM.
Hog Days Pony Rides – Chautauqua Park, 10 AM–1 PM.
Live Music at BBQ Tent: The Incredible 45s – 12–2 PM.
Kids Day: Magic Man Aaron Fasler – People’s National Bank lot, 12 & 2:30 PM.
Kids Day: 4 Seasons Rock Climbing Wall, Caricatures, Police & Fire Meet n Greet, Miller’s Petting Zoo, Ms Fancy Paints, Kiddie Tractor Pull, Shadowland Serpentry – 11 AM–3 PM, People’s National Bank lot & 2nd & Tremont Sts.