The Taste of Orland Park got off to a strong start Friday night, drawing crowds to Village Green for an evening filled with food, live music and entertainment as the community’s signature summer festival kicked off its 23rd year.
“The food, the bands, everything here is amazing,” said Miguel Aveclar of Alsip, who attended Friday night’s festivities.
The three-day festival, presented by Northwestern Medicine, continues through Sunday at Village Green, 14700 S. Ravinia Ave. Admission is free, and the event remains open to the public throughout the weekend.
The annual celebration features food from local restaurants, live entertainment, a Kids’ Zone, community organizations and sponsor booths, giving visitors plenty of reasons to spend a summer day outdoors.
Saturday’s festivities begin when the gates open at 3 p.m. with entertainment on two stages. The Main Stage lineup includes the Petty Kings, a Tom Petty tribute band, from 3 to 4 p.m., followed by the Doonaree Pipe Band from 4 to 4:15 p.m. Country group Hillbilly Rockstarz performs from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The evening also features a veterans tribute and the national anthem performed by Jim Cornelison at 6 p.m., followed by Annika Starander Weaver’s Cher tribute from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Chicago favorite 7th Heaven closes out the night from 9 to 11 p.m.
The Community Stage will feature youth performers from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. before Live Band Karaoke gives festivalgoers a chance to take the spotlight from 7 to 10 p.m.
The festival wraps up Sunday with another full day of food and entertainment. Families can once again enjoy the Kids’ Zone while visitors sample dishes from local restaurants and browse community and sponsor booths. Live entertainment will continue throughout the day, providing a fitting finale to one of Orland Park’s most popular summer traditions.
With Friday night’s successful opening setting the tone, organizers are expecting another strong turnout for the remainder of the weekend as residents and visitors gather to enjoy great food, live music and community spirit.
