Communities are looking forward to going back to enjoying life the way they did before the pandemic, volunteers in the Village of Plainfield and in neighboring municipalities are hoping to celebrate the summer season with their annual festivals as well.

Plainfield Fest, typically the first event, featuring arts, crafts, bands, and beer tents, may again be held in July as in years past. The popular three-day event in previous years was sponsored by the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation and the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce. But before the date is inked in and location chosen, village staff and organizers are determining how the event will be paid this year.

In past years costs for Plainfield Fest have reached more than $50,000 given the amount of staffing it requires to hold the event, said Village Administrator Joshua Blakemore during Monday’s committee of the whole workshop. He said the village incurred $17,806 in costs for the 2021 festival, with an understanding that the entire cost would be covered by the Riverfront Foundation. But Blakemore said the foundation last month sent a letter asking to pay only half of the amount.

Following discussion Monday, Plainfield trustees agreed to the foundation’s request to pay only the 50 percent of the expenses.

“Last year’s event was scaled down coming out of Covid,” said Blakemore. “I think it is hard to estimate what this year’s fest will bring. But coming out of Covid this year, events are going to be busy.”

Village trustee Tom Ruane, who also serves on the board of directors for the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation, said “providing security detail at Plainfield Fest is not similar to having police presence at smaller events.”

“Our police’s hands are tied with these large events,” he said. “The foundation is staffed by volunteers. The fact of the matter is Plainfield Fest benefits Plainfield.” Proceeds from Plainfield Fest benefit the riverfront.

Eric Marsaglia from the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation said “last year’s revenues were around $98,000, with profits estimated at $29,000. The event is staffed entirely by volunteers.”

Village trustee Cally Larson said she does not want to tell the foundation they must pay an annual set amount or establish a cap because the turnout or success of the fest can vary every summer, depending largely on weather. While the board concluded the payment amount needs to be further evaluated, trustees Brian Wojowski and Harry Benton agreed the foundation needs to submit a formal report to the board at the conclusion of Plainfield Fest, so they know how much money was generated and what is owed to the village for staffing provided by police and public works’ employees.

“The foundation is a branch of the village and I wish we would have more of an input,” Benton said.

Other nearby communities are also planning for a summer festival season as Taste of Joliet will be back June 24 to June 26 at Joliet Memorial Stadium; Taste of Bolingbrook will be Aug. 13 at the Promenade; and rock group Soul Asylum will headline the Village of Romeoville’s RomeoFest from Aug. 4 to 7.