Dutch Festival

You don’t have to be Dutch to love the Dutch Fest!

There’s something for everyone at the annual Elim Dutch Festival! This year we will celebrate a special 25th Annual Dutch Festival in-person on Saturday, September 25.

The Dutch Festival offers fun for the whole family! Begin the day with a free and delicious Pannenkoek “pancake” Breakfast (donations accepted) which runs from 7:30-10:00 am. Browse the colorful Farmer’s Market and Elim’s Dutch Village shops, including this year’s new Kinderen (Children’s) Shop, from 8a-4p. High-quality toe-tapping Entertainment acts will delight audiences of all ages throughout the day from the Main Stage tent (9a-4p).

Be sure to come hungry because you’ll want to nibble throughout the day at the Food Court on great Dutch and American cuisine like banket (pastries with almond filling), hutspot (beef and potatoes), oliebollen (Dutch pastry), pizza, hamburgers, bratwurst, hotdogs, and more – all at affordable prices.

Everyone in your family will be delighted by the Dutch “Wooden shoe” dancers and amazing reptile shows, and kids will also enjoy the petting zoo, train rides, and pony rides, in addition to the Children’s Games area.

Parking, shuttle bus service, and admission is free. Tickets for the Children’s Games and Food Court can be purchased at the event or pre-purchased online here.

All proceeds from the Dutch Festival event go to support the mission and work of Elim – equipping children and adults with disabilities to thrive at Elim and beyond. Elim is an oasis where everyone is celebrated, loved, and equipped to pursue their God-given potential. You will feel that when you step onto our campus that Saturday morning, and you’ll leave feeling blessed by having contributed to this work!

You can also support this event by volunteering or by sponsoring this event! Click here for more information on volunteering for the Dutch Festival and click here to find out more about promoting your business at the Dutch Festival through an event sponsorship.

The Dutch Festival is held on the east campus of Elim Christian Services – 13020 S Central Ave, Crestwood, IL, 60418 – approximately 23 miles South/Southwest of downtown Chicago. For questions, contact Laura Schnyders at (708) 293-6509 or email info@elimcs.org.

Proposed Main Stage Performance Schedule
25th Dutch Festival Celebration 9/25/2021

Proposed Time           Entertainment           

7:30-10am                  Pancake Breakfast

8am-4pm                    Stores & Ticket Booths Open

8:30-10:30a                 Broken Halos (main stage)

9am                             Bridge Dedication

9am-3:30pm               Pony Rides

9am-4pm                    Food Court, Games, Petting Zoo, & Train Rides

10:30-10:45am           Opening Ceremonies (main stage)

10:45-10:55am           Pursue Possibilities (main stage)

10:50-11:10am           Dutch History Live Wooden Shoe Dancers (Children’s Games area)

11am-12:15pm           Reptile Show (tent in playground area south of Food Court)

11am-12pm                Fiddle Fire (main stage)

11am                           Kid’s Parade (Children’s Games Area)

12-12:10pm                Afternoon Welcome (main stage)

12:10-1:10pm             Fiddle Fire (main stage)

12:45-1pm                  Dutch History Live Wooden Shoe Dancers (Children’s Games area)

1-2:15pm                    Reptile Show (tent in playground area south of Food Court)

1:10-1:20pm               Pursue Possibilities (main stage)

1:30-4pm                    Main Street Dueling Pianos (main stage)

1:45-2:05pm               Dutch History Live Wooden Shoe Dancers (Children’s Games area)