50th Anniversary of the Burgoo Festival

Burgoo is a pioneer stew cooked over fire in six gigantic iron kettles beside the historic I&M canal. Community volunteers stay up all night to watch over the stew, which must be stirred continuously. It's something of a ritual to ring in the big day: Sunday, October 13th. This year we are celebrating our 50th anniversary!
 
What began as a simple soup line in 1969 has become a village-wide festival that draws 50,000+ locals and tourists. This authentic home-grown festival is one of the largest and longest running in the state of Illinois. Most importantly, this event funds the LaSalle County Historical Society's museums, programs, and annual costs of operation.

Saturday:
Shop the Canal Market with over 90 vendors, all day
11am - 6pm: Classic Car Show sponsored by Utica Fire Department
noon - 3pm: Colonel Byods Band, Live Entertainment
6pm - 9pm: Chris Gelbuda Band, Live Entertainment
7pm: Lighting of the Kettles and Celebrity Stir-off

Sunday:
9am - 5pm: Enjoy our famous Burgoo Stew
Shop over 350 Craft & Antique Vendors, all day
Childrens Games, Live Blackmith Demo, & More, all day
10am - 1pm: Kevin Kramer Band, Live Entertainment
1:30 - 4:30: Big Uproar, Live Entertainment
4:30: 50/50 Drawing

Rain or Shine!