Returning fest promises to be bigger, dirtier and more musical than ever

SALINE COUNTY - The Southern Illinois Mud Fest is back for its second year, and event organizers say it has grown.

The weekend event, held Friday-Sunday, July 27-29 at Williams Hill Pass south of Harrisburg, features a variety of mud racing competitions and classes for those racing under Countryside Mud Racing rules.

But Mud Fest isn't limited to just mud racing.

"We've really put a lot of effort into promoting Mud Fest this year, and our entertainment lineup reflects this," said organizer Keith Hawkins, a veteran mud racing enthusiast. "It's a lot bigger."

This year's Mud Fest features country rap singer-songwriter Lenny Cooper, along with Charlie Farley, Amber Delacruz, Nora Collins, Tail Gate Revival and Audio Pilots, plus DJ SI Mud Dogz.

An all-weekend pass to the event is $40, with those 12 and under free.

Events include a side-by-side mud pit, mud bogs, a mud pond play area, a "tuff truck" track, ATV and UTV tracks, slip and slide kickball, a cornhole tournament, and helicopter rides.

Williams Hill Pass is a 256-acre ATV and UTV park with cabin rentals, partial hookup camping and primitive camp sites.

Black Diamond Harley-Davidson, one of the featured Mud Fest sponsors, will operate the helicopter rides. Outlaw Motorsports of Harrisburg is another one of the event's featured sponsors.

Jimi Williams-Cox, who owns Williams Hill Pass, said the inaugural 2017 event brought about 1,800 people to the location. She said with increased promotion and the expanded lineup, she believes attendance may increase this year.

"I think we'll see more people here," she said. "Last year was very successful, and I think more people will come this weekend. We've got a lot to offer anyone who comes to Mud Fest."

Hawkins said small-scale entertainment also will be available, with a midway featuring vendor tents and food.

"I think anyone who comes to Mud Fest will enjoy it," Hawkins said.

For information, call Hawkins at (618) 499-2351, go online to www.southernilmudfest.com or visit Southern IL Mud Fest on Facebook.