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.
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!
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
Become A Vendor
2021 Vendor Applications Now Available!
With an Annual attendance of 50,000-70,000, Burgoo is one of Illinois largest and longest running Fall Festivals. We have 2 day (Saturday & Sunday) and 1 day (Sunday Only) vendor opportunities.
Note to returning Vendors: Section E and Section C will be added to our two day event in 2021. If you are looking for a Private Vendor application or have any questions please email events@lasallecountyhistoricalsociety.org
50th Annual Burgoo Sponsors
Village of North Utica
Tangled Roots Brewing Company
Bill Walsh Automotive
Utica Business Assoication
Lodi Taphouse
OSF Healthcare
Comcast
Thornton Foundation
First National Bank of Ottawa
Grand Bear Resort
Midland State Bank
LaSalle State Bank
Aubry Farms
Eureka Savings Bank
Diamond Bros
MCS Advertising
Hartauer Insurance
