New Layout at Shorewood Crossroads Festival a Big Hit

Looking for a takeaway from a Chamber of Commerce-like weekend in Shorewood that was highlighted by the 37th annual Shorewood Crossroads Festival?

Well, how about this from Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce President Denise Schmidt?

“I sincerely hope everybody had as much fun enjoying the fest as I did helping to plan it,” she said during a call on Monday recapping a weekend that saw guests entering the grounds spread out over two parking lots in a new layout that created more elbow room for everyone at Four Seasons Park.

“We’re already planning for next year,” Schmidt said. “The fest will be Aug. 1-3. And we’re making it bigger and better and planning even more entertainment.”

She said this year’s Crossroads Festival was one of the most successful in the history of the event—and cited a couple of reasons as the basis for that opinion.

“From an infrastructure perspective, the things we planned went off without a hitch,” she said. “There were no injuries—no first-responders needed. I think we might have had a couple of folks who maybe needed a Band-Aid. But that’s it. We want people to have a good time and to go home safe. And that’s just what happened.”

A brief rainstorm on Friday afternoon cut short the allotted time for the Crossroads Festival pre-party, a time set aside for families of children with special needs. Still, the carnival operator—Windy City Amusements—donated free ride hours and game prizes for the children. EmbroidMe of Shorewood passed out commemorative T-shirts and TCBY served frozen yogurt treats.

“We felt it was a better safety call to get everyone out of the park by 3:30 (Friday),” Schmidt said. “But every family said, ‘Oh, this was still great.’ The rain didn’t dampen their spirits.”