2021 Burgoo Details
October 9-10, 2021
Join the LaSalle County Historical Society for our 51st Annual Burgoo Festival!! Fun starts on Saturday when over 100 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.
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.
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
Support Your Local History...........
Become A Burgoo Sponsor Today!
The LaSalle County Historical Society will be bringing back our popular Fall Festival in 2021! After a year hiatus due to Covid-19, the Burgoo Festival will be back bigger and better this year. Our festival will be held October 9th and 10th in Utica, Illinois - the bustling gateway to Starved Rock. Burgoo is one of Illinois’ largest and longest running festivals. Each year, more than 375 vendors display their wares. We also have a car show, live music, 50/50, and our infamous Burgoo Stew, which is cooked over an open fire beside the historic I&M Canal.
Attendance for this two-day festival exceeds 70,000 people!
Our Whova app allows businesses to digitally connect with our attendees, who can be redirected to your business website with just one click!
Several sponsorships include premium booth space at our event so that your business can promote through pre-event advertising, the app, and throughout the festival.
All sponsors will be publicly thanked for their contribution to the LaSalle County Historical Society.
Donations fund our operating expenses and educational programs including our one room schoolhouse, which has served over 20,000 local fourth grade students over the past 38 years.
Because the LaSalle County Historical Society is a 501 (c) 3, your contribution is tax deductible.
We hope to make this 51st Annual Burgoo our most successful to date. Every donation, big and small, ensures that the LaSalle County Historical Society can continue sharing the stories, treasures, and rich history of our county.
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
