Solarbration: Chicago Ridge celebrates fun in the sun

In honor of National Solar Appreciation Day, the Chicago Ridge Park District offered residents the opportunity to come out and celebrate with a Solarbration.

By Kelly White

The sun is shining and after a long winter, Chicago Ridge residents ready for it.

In honor of National Solar Appreciation Day, the Chicago Ridge Park District offered residents the opportunity to come out and celebrate with a Solarbration, the free event was held outside of Freedom Activity Center, 6252 Birmingham St., on Saturday, April 20.

“This is so much fun and it’s a perfect day for it,” Sophia King, 11, of Chicago Ridge, said. “I like because it’s windy and I’m able to get my kite really high in the air.”

The purpose of the event was to provide a fun activity to get people outdoors as well as celebrate solar energy and Earth Day.

“I personally like this event because getting outside to meet residents and offer something fun for families to do that doesn’t require a lot of money,” Jennifer Grabowski, Recreation Supervisor for the Chicago Ridge Park District, said “The Solarbration marks the beginning of the warmer months and the fun that lies ahead for our residents. For me, it is almost like a summer kick-off party.”

Isabelle Miller, 7, of Chicago Ridge, was all smiles on Saturday afternoon at Chicago Ridge Park District’s Solarbration.

The park district has been taking strides over the years to fulfill their stewardship of reducing pollution and scaling down their carbon footprint.

In 2022, the park district added two roof Solar PV Systems – one at Frontier Park Fieldhouse, 9807 Sayre Ave., and one at Freedom Activity Center. The systems offset nearly 40 percent of the facilities’ annual electricity usage in year one. The system produced enough clean energy to prevent over 132 tons of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere annually, while reducing the park district’s energy consumption and environmental footprint.

This year marked the park district’s third annual Solarbration.

Every year, the event continues to grow in popularity, according to park district officials, and they are hoping it continues to bring more residents out every year.

Solarbration is an event that showcases use of solar energy both within the park district, as well as the overall benefits of the sun,” Grabowski said. “We like to focus on fun activities that educate and are fun for entire families.”

New, this year the park districted added a Kite Fly to the event to get people outdoors and enjoying the sun. Chicago Kite (Chicagokite.com) was on-site to offer both kite demonstrations. They also had plenty of kites available for purchase starting at just $20 per kite.

Chicagokite.com has been serving the kite enthusiast for over 28 years, carrying everything for kite flyers from beginner to seasoned professional.

Families were encouraged to bring their own kite to fly outdoors or purchase one directly at the event.

“We chose to add a Kite Fly to the event this year because wind is directly related to the sun and what a fun way to see the power of the sun and how it can create joy,” Grabowski said. “By adding kites, we hoped to encourage people to get outside and maybe try something they haven’t done a long time or maybe have never even tried.”

Aside from educational, health, activity and fresh air benefits, there were many other benefits to be had at the Solarbration, park district officials said.

“Kids benefited by attending this event because not only will they see some amazing kite flying skills and tricks, but they will learn about solar energy, see some demonstrations, and have a great day outside,” Grabowski said.

In honor of National Solar Appreciation Day, the Chicago Ridge Park District offered residents the opportunity to come out and celebrate with a Solarbration, the free event was held outside of Freedom Activity Center, 6252 Birmingham St.