On August 18th and 19th, the University of Illinois’ Allerton Park (in nearby Monticello) will be hosting their inaugural Prairie Sky Music Festival, which will be headlined by The Jerry Douglas Band and Sam Bush.
The festival itself will allow for patrons to camp out on Allerton’s grounds, explore the park and hear fantastic tunes, all over the course of one weekend.
This, in-turn, begs the question of what one will do in between camping and watching music. Luckily, the good folks at Allerton Park have just released their list of activities offered at PSMF, including food vendors, live painting, stargazing and more.
For the full run-down, check out Allerton’s press release below, and make sure to grab your discounted group tickets (buy 8, get 2 free) before July 31st.
Prairie Sky Festival will feature music and more
Monticello – Allerton Park’s Prairie Sky Music Festival on August 18-19 will feature eight musical acts, as well as a variety of activities, vendors, and overnight camping. The inaugural family-friendly festival will be held at Allerton Park, 515 Old Timber Road, Monticello, IL.
For most, the Festival highlight will be the nationally-known headliners, fourteen-time Grammy winner Jerry Douglas and “King of Telluride” Sam Bush, who will take the stage Saturday evening (6:15pm and 8:15pm, respectively). But event organizers note that there will be plenty of non-musical activities to keep attendees busy.
“We’re going to have a number of local vendors, food trucks, activities, and of course there’s always the Allerton hiking trails,” said Allerton’s Event Coordinator Hannah Dole.
While guests are encouraged to enjoy all that Allerton has to offer between acts, planned activities will include Community Center for the Arts’ instrument petting zoo, stargazing led by the CU Astronomical Society, “Up on the Hills” live painting, and resident birds from the Wildlife Medical Clinic. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own kites to fly in the 14-acre Meadow, where the Festival will be held. Several vendors will be on-site, selling handcrafted merchandise, food, and drinks.
“The festival experience is as important as the music,” explained Associate Director Derek Peterson. “We are constantly keeping the experience in mind, and trying to build an event that will really be an outdoor celebration.”
Festival-goers will also have the rare chance to camp overnight at the iconic Sun Singer statue. Campers will be treated to yoga and a historic Garden Tour on Saturday morning. Tent and RV sites are primitive, and reservations are limited.
“As we expand the event we look at camping continuing to be an important part,” Peterson said. “We want to provide an experience where nature and music come together to create a lifelong memory.”
Festival passes are on sale now at Allerton.illinois.edu. A group discount (buy 8, get 2 free) is available until July 31. Guests should bring blankets or chairs, and there will be a space for tailgating tents.
The Prairie Sky Music Festival is made possible with the support of presenting sponsor, the University of Illinois Community Credit Union, as well as: the News-Gazette, The Ayers Family, Illinois Public Media, Country Arbors, The Friends of Allerton, Kirby Medical Center, AHW LLC, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD), The Herbold Family Trust, and Kennedy Hutson Associates.
For more information and the complete 2017 concert schedule visit allerton.illinois.edu or call 217-333-3287.
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