FORREST, IL – The 12th Annual Wabash Festival in Forrest, IL – how about some late summer early fall entertainment – how about a whole day of it? The town of Forrest is launching their 12th annual Wabash Festival and there is a whole bevy of events intertwined with breakfast and lunch stands that will keep visitors occupied and satisfied for the duration of the day. Saturday, September 24th, it all begins at 7:30 am with breakfast at the Trackside Grill, and then really getting started at 10:00 am with an assortment of free events and attractions.
From 10:00 to 4:00 they’ve got a variety of Street Vendors, a Classic Car Cruise In, a Race Car Simulator, Kiddie Train Rides, a Do it Yourself Photo Booth, a daring Uni cyclist, a dunk tank, and Horse Rides and, until 3:00, there is Face Painting and Balloon Art by “The Zoo Crew”. There is also inflatable playground stations for the kids. There will be golf carts stationed around to transport people throughout the festival – bank corner to pavilion to depot.
There will be Live Musical Entertainment with Living Water from 11:00 to 11:45, Back Paiges from Noon to 3:00, and famous DJ “Bones Bach” from 3:00 to 4:00.
If you’re hungry, the Trackside Grill has that previously mentioned breakfast until 10:00 and then lunch will be served from 11:00 to 3:00 – that’s partnered up with the Lions Club specialty Homemade Ham & Beans and Varela’s Tacos and, the legendary Mobile “Coffee Steamer” with all their special coffees and pastries as well as “Crazy 4 Kettlecorn and Homemade Amish Fried Pies. No one will lack for food and refreshments because there is going to be plenty available. There will also be a Freezer/Meat Raffle that you can buy into with an exciting grand prize.
While you’re there you can visit the renovated Forrest Depot and Hampsher Hotel (both part of the town’s Wabash Railroad History) – a real “blast from the past” and well worth seeing the great work that the Historical Society has done in bringing the “day’s of old” back to life.
For you F-S-W Eskimo Alumni there is a Welcome Center and Memorabilia display at the Forrest American Legion and there is an “All Class” Reunion that will be held at the Prairie Central Junior High School starting at 4:00 (you should have gotten a letter telling you how to participate). And, speaking of the PC Jr. High, there is additional parking for the Festival there in the Jr. High’s parking lot (out on the south edge of Forrest) that will have shuttle service to and from Downtown so they’re making it easy for you. You “All Class” participants can just park there, take the shuttle service up to and back from the Festival and you’ll be right there for your reunion festivities.
The Forrest Food Pantry will have a Collection Booth there at the Festival and they could sure use your help with donations for food, paper products, or $$ – be charitable if you can and help them to help others who are less fortunate.
So there you have it – it’s a great way to spend a Saturday with the family, with friends, and with the community. Go have some fun and enjoy yourself – you’ll be glad you did. The legendary Wabash Railroad is a tremendous part of the town’s history and this is a unique way to recognize it’s place in the making and shaping of the area’s foundation.