Fish-N-Fun Festival Returns to Montello, May 2–4, 2025

Montello’s annual Fish-N-Fun Festival is back May 2–4, promising a weekend packed with family-friendly entertainment, outdoor activities, and community celebration. The downtown and city park areas will be alive with a carnival running all three days, food trucks and vendor fair, and live music performances. On Friday night from 7 to 11 p.m., enjoy the sounds of Best Practice, a high-energy cover band featuring rock, pop, and country hits. Saturday night’s headliner, Road Trip, takes the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Kids can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the weekend. A petting zoo will be open Saturday and Sunday in City Park. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., children can take part in birdhouse building and fly-tying lessons at Vaughn Hall—while supplies last—thanks to the Muirland Birding Club. 

Tyke Hikes depart from Vaughn Hall at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, while a kids casting contest will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Doty Street. The Montello PTO is sponsoring a dunk tank in the park on Saturday. Meanwhile, Narrow Road Ministries will hand out free kids’ goodie bags at 47 W. Montello Street from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Saturday also includes a Kids Fishing Contest from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (register at City Park), a car, truck, and cycle show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion, and a noon performance by the Prairie Thunder Cloggers downtown. Youth anglers aged 15 and under can enjoy the trout pond in City Park on Saturday and Sunday while fish last. Hourly raffles and an information booth will be located downtown on West Street. 

On Sunday, enjoy BINGO with cash prizes starting at 1 p.m. in City Park, and don’t miss the Chicken BBQ beginning at 11:30 a.m.—served until gone.

Be sure to pick up your Fish-N-Fun button for just $5! Wear it into any participating business to receive exclusive specials, enter prize drawings, enjoy live music, and support all the free family fun the festival has to offer. 

Visit the Fish-N-Fun website or Facebook page for full event details and updates!