fFOREST FEST Venture into

from Starved Rock Country Magazine - Summer 2023

by Shaw Media

Where luxury Meets Nature

Festival puts spotlight on music, shopping & food trucks

By Stephanie Jaquins •

Alive music, food trucks and familyfriendly activities.

And, no, fForest is not a typo.

Organizers said it’s a Norwegian word that means “be, do and make under the trees,” which seemed like a fitting name for this one-day festival.

Organizer Stacey Olson said the festival was attended by more than 5,000 people in its first year. This year’s fest is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 3, under the trees at Goold Park in Morris.

The group behind fForest Fest, IMC3: I&M Canal Cleanup Coalition, wanted to bring something new and different to Morris, while promoting local artists, makers, vendors, businesses and musicians, Olson said.

The vendor market will have more than 200 merchants selling vintage goods, handmade items, plants, garden wares, vintage clothing, thrift/ recycled and salvaged items, antiques, repurposed items, jewelry, crystals, furniture, snacks, food, packaged items and vinyl records, among other products.

A $10 cash entry fee is charged at the gate, with children ages 5 years and younger admitted for free.

fFest Friends Family Expo is a new addition this year with 50 vendors and interactive family-friendly activities in a separate area than the rest of fForest Fest.

“We ran out of space in the market area and still had other vendors and businesses want to be a part of [fForest Fest],” Olson said. “We also wanted to create a special place for kids and families.” fFest Friends is free to attend in upper Goold Park, the same day and time as fForest Fest, which is in lower Goold Park. fFest Friends will have Billy Bricks Pizza and The Creamery Ice Cream, and a full schedule of events will be posted on the event’s website.

Vendors, both in the market and fFest Friends, will host activities in their space. Activities include selfie areas, crafts, make-and-takes, create-yourown jewelry, henna tattoos, meditation, games, relaxation stations, demonstrations, chill areas, games and discounts, among others.

Food will be served in fForest Fest’s Food Truck Rally, with 14 food vendors serving pizza, pretzels, ice cream, Hawaiian, seafood, eggrolls, chicken, vegan and desserts. Food vendors will have soda, juice, coffee and water. Adult beverages also will be served from a community organization. Bloody Marys, margaritas, beer and other beverages can be purchased at one of the two bar locations.

Visitors can shop more than 20 packaged food vendors with everything from Nothing Bundt Cakes to Sweet Tooth Candy.

Parking is free and guests can park at Morris Community High School on Union Street or any side street surrounding Goold Park. The show goes on rain or shine.

For more information, visit fforestfest.com.