Schedule:

Thursday, September 4, 2025

12:00-5:00 pm
Bureau County History Center Tours
Explore the history of Bureau County with two museums and a research library.

5:45 pm
Walk of Fame Dedication
Honoring Robert Petkoff in front of the Apollo Theater.

6:00-10:00 pm
Down on Main Street Concert
Featuring: Electric Avenue ‘The 80’s MTV Experience’ is the most fun and accurate tribute to the 1980’s anywhere.

Friday, September 5, 2025

12:00-5:00 pm
Bureau County History Center Tours
Explore the history of Bureau County with two museums and a research library.

1:00-4:00 pm
Owen Lovejoy Homestead Tours
Honoring Robert Petkoff in front of the Apollo Theater.

4:00-8:00 pm
Ride the Trolley on Main Street

5:00-7:00 pm
Lego Design Competition Reception
Held at the Prairie Arts Center

Homestead Celebration at Soldiers and Sailors Park, 5:00-10:00 pm

5:00-9:00 pm
Food Trucks and Beverages

6:00-9:00 pm
Twilight Horse Drawn Carriage Rides

5:30-7:00 pm
Rodeo Drive Concert

7:00 pm
Homestead Festival Announcements
Grand Marshals, Winners of StudioK Lego Contest, Jr. Women’s Club Baby Contest, and Chamber of Commerce Window Display Contest

7:30 pm
Pie Eating Contest, Pie Bake-Off and Auction

8:00-10:00 pm
Infinity Concert

Saturday, September 6, 2025

8:00-12:00 pm
3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
Alexander Park, Register here.

8:30 am
Underground Railroad 5K Race
Bureau County Metro Center, 7 a.m. registration starts

8:30-12:00 pm
Farmer’s Market
Soldiers and Sailors Park

9:00-6:00 pm
Beta Sigma Phi Arts and Craft Show
Courthouse Lawn

9:00-11:00 am
Homestead Festival Fun Fair
Heartland Bank (South) Parking Lot

9:00-11:00 am
Princeton High School Tours

10:00-12:00 pm
Owen Lovejoy Homestead Tours

11:00-5:00 pm
Bureau County 4-H Pork Cook-Out
Soldiers and Sailors Park. Drive-Thru at Bureau County Fairgrounds. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Covenant Church. 

12:00-5:00 pm
Bureau County History Center Tours
Explore the history of Bureau County with two museums and a research library.

1:15 pm
Main Street Relay Race

1:30 pm
Homestead Festival Parade
Grand Marshals: Dr. Barbara Swalve Everett and Dr. Richard Everett. Illinois State University Gamma Phi Circus performance immediately following parade.

3:00 pm
Euchre Tournament
Soldiers and Sailors Park, 2:30 pm registration.

3:00-5:00 pm
Owen Lovejoy Homestead Tours 

4:00 pm
PHS Alumni Concert
Prairie Arts Center

Concert and Family Fun at Soldiers and Sailors Park, 4:00-8:00 pm

4:00-8:00 pm
Food Trucks, Beverages, Face Painting, Bounce Houses and More!

4:30 pm
Dunk Tank

5:00-8:00 pm
Midnight Rider Concert

7:30 pm
Free Outdoor Movie, Popcorn and Root Beer Floats
Selfie Dad at Evangelical Covenant Church

Sunday, September 7, 2025

8:00-3:30 pm
14th Annual BBQ Rib Cook-Off
Central Bank Parking Lot

8:00-12:00 pm
Pancake and Sausage Breakfast
Moose Lodge

8:00-2:00 pm
Homestead Festival Flea Market
Bureau County Fairgrounds

8:00-3:00 pm
45th Annual Car Show
South Main Street

9:00 am
Tug Fest
Metro Center, 8:30 a.m. Registration starts. 

10:00-4:00 pm
Beta Sigma Phi Arts and Craft Show
Courthouse Lawn

Children’s Activities at Soldiers and Sailors Park, 10:00-2:30 pm

10:00-1:00 pm
Pony Rides

10:30 am
Story Hour with Bureau County United Way

11:30 am and 2:30 pm
Magic Shows

11:00 am
Dunk Tank

12:00-2:30 pm
Tractor Pull

11:45 am Registration
11:00 am
Bags Tournament
Prairie Arts Center, 10:30 am Registration begins.

1:00-4:00 pm
Owen Lovejoy Homestead Tours 

3:30 pm
50/50 Raffle Drawing
Apollo Theater Marquee

Date: September 4 - 7, 2025

Location: Various Venues in Princeton, IL 61356

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