Music, mouthwatering bites and plenty of summer vibes filled Orland Park’s Village Center as the Taste of Orland Park kicked off its weekend of fun.
On stage Friday, Aug. 1, the ’80s cover band Sixteen Candles belted out a chorus while fans sang along, phones held high to capture the moment. Earlier that evening, country artist Alika Arlynn and ABBA tribute band Dancing Queen warmed up the crowd before a drone show closed out opening night.
The Taste of Orland Park returned for its 22nd year with three days of live music, food and community events. Nine-year-old Alex Campos, of Oak Forest, strongly recommended delicious desserts from Nothing Bundt Cakes, while Jim and Liz Hogan of Mt. Greenwood said they came out for the bands.
“The music and the food are incredible,” Liz Hogan said. “We love the atmosphere.”
Presented by Northwestern Medicine, the festival moved back to the Village Green at 14700 S. Ravinia Ave. after being held last summer at Centennial Park West. It featured more than a dozen local restaurants, performances from tribute bands and national touring artists, and family activities from bingo to a Battle of the Bands.
Mayor Jim Dodge said the event has become a tradition that brings residents together.
“This event has long been a staple in bringing our community together, and staff worked diligently to make this year’s Taste the best event yet,” Dodge said.
Saturday, Aug. 2, featured yacht rock and blues acts, along with a veterans tribute and headliners Tommy DeCarlo of Boston and Jason Scheff of Chicago.
On Sunday, Aug. 3, a Taylor Swift tribute and a local talent showcase led up to Queen tribute act One Vision of Queen featuring Marc Martel. A fireworks display capped off the weekend.
Food vendors ranged from Cooper’s Hawk and Barraco’s to Orland Ale House to The Original Rainbow Cone and many, many more.
Attendees said it was great to see the wide variety of local offerings, from franchises to independently owned restaurants.
“This is my favorite fest of the year,” Kamil Rzeminski said Sunday night. “We always make it a point to come on opening day to kick off the weekend and come back again Sunday night for the fireworks.”
Festivalgoers also lined up for live band karaoke, a Family Feud-style game show and kids activities that ran throughout the weekend. The Battle of the Bands returned Friday, while bingo hosted by the Orland Park Kiwanis and Lions clubs ran Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
By Sunday night, as fireworks burst overhead, the festival once again proved, just as Rzeminski said, why it continues to remain one of Orland Park’s most anticipated summer traditions.
Next time put it in this same news feed B4 the event. I’m mad I msd it 😡
The bands were great, but the food, beer and drink vendors were not managed very well. Had to cut through people standing in line for food or drinks. Area was just too small for all the people and vendors. Will never come back this.