Discover the rich history and culture of LaSalle County today!
What is Burgoo?
Burgoo is a traditional pioneer dish, a kind of stew that gives the festival its name. For the LCHS Burgoo the ingredients are beef, carrots, potatoes, hominy, celery, tomatoes, cabbage, onions, peppers, and other vegetables carefully blended with special spices and herbs. It is cooked outdoors Saturday night for between 12 and 18 hours over a wood-burning fire that gives it a special taste. Squads of volunteer vegetable choppers and kettle stirrers spend the night preparing this pioneer dish. The Burgoo Stew is always ready to serve at 9am Sunday morning!
Burgoo Festival
Established in 1969, the Burgoo Festival is one of the longest-running and largest fall festivals in northern Illinois. The Burgoo Festival is an annual village street party featuring flea marketers, craftsmen, musicians, and other entertainment. More than 350 vendors will present their wares at this craft show and flea market. Sponsored by the non-profit LaSalle County Historical Society, it is the organization’s major fundraiser.
2023 Burgoo Details
October 7-8, 2023
Join the LaSalle County Historical Society for our 53rd Annual Burgoo Festival!! Fun starts on Saturday when over 150 vendors will be set up in and around our Canal Market Building (210 Clark Street) from 11-6pm. The Utica Fire Protection District will be hosting their Classic Car Show from 1-6pm. Stick around to see how our famous Burgoo Stew is created when we kick off cooking at 7pm. The stew will then cook throughout the night until it is ready to be served at 9am on Sunday.
Sunday is the big day when over 375 vendors line the streets of the quaint Village of Utica. Live entertainment will be provided both Saturday and Sunday in addition to live blacksmithing demos and children's activities.
Become A Vendor
2023 Vendor Applications Available Now!
With an Annual attendance of 75,000-90,000, Burgoo is one of Illinois largest and longest running Fall Festivals. We have 2 day (Saturday & Sunday) and 1 day (Sunday Only) vendor opportunities.
If you are looking for a Private Vendor application or have any questions please email events@lasallecountyhistoricalsociety.org
2022 Burgoo Sponsors
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors for our 2022 Burgoo. We appreciate your business' support in LaSalle County's rich history! If interested in sponsoring our 53rd Annual Burgoo Festival in 2023 please watch this page for more details!
Festival Sponsor: Village of North Utica Utica Business Association
Volunteer Sponsors: Lodi Taphouse & Comcast
Blacksmith Sponsor: LaSalle County
Social Media Sponsor: XPO, and Bill Walsh Automotive
Transportation Sponsor: North Central Area Transit (NCAT)
Kids Sponsor: LaSalle State Bank, Carus Chemical, Ottawa Dental Lab
General Sponsors: Advanced Asphalt, Pohar & Sons, Senica's Oak Ridge, Financial Plus Credit Union, August Hill Winery, First National Bank of Ottawa, Grand Ridge National Bank, Eureka Savings Bank, RO Pros, Wears Well, Stonehead Leather, Duffy's Auto Sales, Verilife, Grand Bear Resort, Studstill Media, Operators Local 150 and Northern Partners.
Become a Burgoo Volunteer
Volunteers don't necessarily have the time; they just have the heart!
Burgoo Festival wouldn't be possible without the help of our many volunteers!
Volunteer Perks:
Free Premium Parking
4 Volunteer Hours will receive a T-shirt
8 Volunteer Hours will receive a Sweatshirt
Available for Service Hours
Volunteers needed Friday-Monday Burgoo Weekend
