Vote Now: What Would You Like to See at Oak Fest This Year?

Baba Wawa April 23, 2012 at 11:02 am

Something other than Miller Lite and Miller Genuine Draft beer.

NANCY GRACE April 23, 2012 at 11:31 am

Keep the Miller beer!! And add some country singers like Phil Vassar,Clint Black,etc

Krista April 23, 2012 at 02:02 pm

The bands that Oak Fest hires seems to be the biggest draw of all, so I don't think they are hiring "bad" bands. I don't disagree that perhaps a country band would be a big draw since it is so popular (not my fave). I also agree with the woman who said more kid friendly "acts." Of course, security is of the utmost concern, too! So I would say all of the suggestions are good ones.

David B April 23, 2012 at 04:53 pm

Towns broke, raised the sales tax. Seriously,,shoot the fireworks, cancel the fest and save the money! All the fest attracts is Jerry Springer guest applicants anyway! Stopped taking the family years ago due to the riff raff that abounds. All it's become is a violence headline waiting to happen!

Colleen McAbee April 23, 2012 at 05:54 pm

Crafters. Not tacky junk, but crafters displaying beautiful handmade pieces.

Dutch Oven Chef April 23, 2012 at 06:17 pm

Just an FYI David, Oak Forest does not pay anything toward the Fest. Oakfest pays for itself and benefits hundreds of community groups by paying them an hourly rate based on the profitability of the fest!

chuck toland April 23, 2012 at 07:06 pm

Unfortunately Baba, I don't think you will see anything other than Miller products there anytime soon. Hayes Distributors give the Fest a great deal, and the only way to get that type of deal is to have exclusive rights. I just hold my nose when drinking it. I could be wrong though. Great suggestion.

Julia April 24, 2012 at 01:23 pm

Suggestions: Do NOT charge for parking. Do NOT make people walk through all the bikers and their bikes to get into the fest. Have better food and more of it....the vendors you have in the past are overpriced and NOT good. The only thing I liked last year was the ice cream and when I was there maybe 10 other people were in the food tent at dinner time on a Friday night...there are a lot of scary looking punks standing around all over...if you don't want to deal with them you have to sit in the beer tent which is fine with me, I like the bands...and I could have sworn they had MGD too last year which is way better than the Lite beer.

Jason Akai April 24, 2012 at 02:07 pm

Julia - I think the idea of charging for parking is probably past its prime, and instead they should charge for entrance to the fest. It would end up costing more per person ($5 per person vs $5 a car), but it might help contain the event more effectively. Good idea.

Oak Resident April 24, 2012 at 09:25 pm

How about more security, considering we just had a stabbing last year. As well there are drunks wandering the streets every night after the fest.

Julia April 25, 2012 at 06:34 pm

I live a few blocks from the fest and I have never seen drunks wandering the street, only loud teenage punks...

Oak Resident May 7, 2012 at 06:26 am

I agree with the problem with some teens. But I have seen my handful of drunks and it is not pretty. Where are the police watching these neighborhoods after the fest ends?

Terri July 3, 2012 at 11:02 am

I like the fest and have worked to provide fee's paid towards two of my children's sport teams. I would like to see more food vendors as well. The crafters would make a nice addition. I also have teenagers who go to the carnival to meet up with their girlfriends and "hang out" that do not cause any problems, I saw a lot of security this year and think they are doing an outstanding job. It is a shame that a handful of disorderly people make it uneasy for residents not want to go. I am working again tonight and look forward to it! Should be some nice fireworks and good music. As far as the beer, they have MGD, Lite, Coors Lite, 3 kinds of Mike's Hard Lemonade and twisted Tea. Yup- I know I worked the beer tent the other nite!