Palos Park celebrates fall with annual festival

By Kelly White

Palos Park is ready to celebrate the changing leaves, chillier weather and start of autumn.

The village welcomed the season in just a little early with its annual Autumn in the Park festival on Friday, September 15, and Saturday, September 16, on the Village Green at 8901 W. 123rd Street.

“This is my favorite fest,” Palos Park Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters said. “I remember taking my own kids here and to this very Village Green Park when they were younger.”

Debbie and Brian Muldowney, of Palos Park, at the Village of Palos Park’s Autumn in the Park festival on Friday night.

Kicking off Friday night were food, beer, wine and spirit vendors along with live music from the popular cover band, Hairbangers Ball. Food vendors included: Aurelio’s Pizza, Robinson’s Ribs, Frangella’s, Boba Heaven, The Original Shrimp House, Zacarelli’s Pizza, and delicious desserts from Doughs Guys Bakery and Plush Horse.

Also offering treats and information about their local organizations were the Lions Club and the Palos Park Woman’s Club.

Saturday, known as Family Day, began with a parade right in the heart of the Palos Park community that showcased bands, floats, civic groups, fire and police vehicles, horses, dogs, walkers, bicycle riders and community members for this wonderful tradition. The parade stepped off at 82nd Avenue on 123rd Street in Palos Park and traveled westbound to 90th Avenue ending near the festival grounds.

“The parade is always a great time,” Allie White, of Palos Hills, said. “We try to be here every year.”

However, the fun did not stop when the parade ended. The daytime fest included a petting zoo, Amazing Bob the Magician, bounce houses, artisans, and kids’ activities and crafts. Kids were also able to enjoy the new playground on the Village Green and participate in stretching activities with Do Good Movement Youth Yoga.

For the adults on Saturday, there were community performances from House of Music and T-USA Martial Arts, a fencing demonstration by Zoya Zackavec, an adult bean bag tournament and several food, beer, wine and spirit vendors available.

College football games were shown on the big screen in the Gazebo Sports Cave and Saturday’s musical lineup included Five Guys Named Moe and the well-known Mike & Joe Band.

Community sponsors for the two-day festival included: Xfinity, KTJ – Klein Thorpe & Jenkins Ltd., Beary Landscaping, Tri-State Disposal, Baxter & Woodman, Core and Main, Flow Technics Inc., HR Green, Nicor Gas, Palos Community Church, the Palos Park Woman’s Club and The Weglarz Family.

Hairbangers Ball rocked the stage at the Village of Palos Park’s Autumn in the Park on Friday night.