Deirdre Scott and Dianne Packee joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the upcoming Prairie Chicken Arts Festival. Anticipation is building for the Kewanee Prairie Chicken Arts Festival, returning July 18th and 19th at the Old Go-Kart Track and Berrien Park on West 3rd Street. Highlights include a Kids Luau Party, a “Guns and Hoses” pancake breakfast with local police and firefighters on Saturday morning, and an array of vendor booths. Artistic competitions and free children’s activities add to the excitement. There will be face painting, balloon art, a giant sand pile, a duck pond, a dunk tank, and a kids’ fire hose. The WQAD “Beast” will be by the rotary tent on Saturday. Crafters and flea market vendors are encouraged to register by July 10th for an early bird rate of $15, with the fee increasing to $25 after the deadline, which includes both days. Interested participants can contact Brenda at 309-853-9419 for details.
Artists in Kewanee are invited to participate in the Prairie Chicken Arts Festival, set for July 18th and 19th at 306 North Main Street. Entries are welcome in categories ranging from photography and painting to graphic art and three-dimensional works. Each artist can submit up to three pieces and must have completed at least the freshman year of high school. Prizes include ribbons and Visa gift cards for the top winners in each category. Entry is free, and forms are available at the Kewanee Public Library or the festival’s website. The form and terms and conditions are in the photo gallery below. Art drop-off is scheduled for July 17th, with the exhibit open on July 19th. A form is required for each entry, and the art must be ready to hang.
Families in Kewanee have something special to look forward to as the Prairie Chicken Arts Festival hosts a free Kids Luau Party on Friday, July 18th. Set under the Downtown Rotary Tent from 7 to 9 PM, the event promises island-themed games, activities, and refreshments—all free of charge. To ensure safety, children ages seven to twelve must be signed in and out by a parent. Organizers invite kids of all ages to enjoy this community celebration, but recommend arriving early, as a large turnout is expected. It’s a perfect chance for local families to kick off the summer festivities.
Color will take center stage at Kewanee’s old go-kart track as the annual Prairie Chicken Arts Festival Chalk Art Competition invites participants to turn pavement into a gallery space. Held July 18th and 19th, this community event welcomes artists of all ages and backgrounds, with registration covering chalk and tote bags. Cash prizes await top creators in a variety of categories, making the event both fun and competitive. Spaces—large enough for bold designs—are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so advance sign-up is recommended. Visit the festival’s Eventbrite page or email to secure your spot. Eventbrite makes you choose a day to register, but your registration gets you both Friday and Saturday.
