The village of Homer Glen will take full ownership of the Homer Community Festival next year as the event moves to a new location.

Since 2011, Homer Glen and Homer Township had a cost-sharing agreement to equally pay for any expenses related to the festival. In 2016, the Homer Township Road District was named to share liability with the village and the township.

Last year, the Homer Community Festival was June 21 to 24.

Starting in 2019, the festival, which includes live entertainment, a carnival, a fireworks show and more, will be moved to the village-owned Heritage Park, 14240 W. 151st St. Previously, the festival has been on township property.

With the move, village officials thought it would be easier to take full ownership and administrative responsibility of the festival, Mayor George Yukich said. The move would streamline processes such as signing contracts, so that only the Village Board needs to approve the plan, rather than the village, township and road district.

Yukich said while the festival comes with the risk of a greater liability for the village, he doesn’t see it as an issue. Since the festival began, revenues have exceeded expenses, and there hasn’t been a festival that was completely canceled due to bad weather, he said.

The township will still maintain control over the community parade, which takes place on the same weekend as the festival.

The village is budgeting about $148,000 for the festival. Anticipated revenues from sponsorships and ticket and beverage sales are expected to cover the expenses, Yukich said.