Hundreds of families gathered Tuesday evening in Chicago Ridge for National Night Out, an annual community event hosted by the police department and local organizations.
The evening featured horseback rides from PKO Farm in Indiana, a petting zoo with goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens, ducks and a guinea pig, a giant water slide, and a foam pool.
“It is great how they have something for everyone of all ages, even the little kids like him,” said Cody Danielczyk of Chicago Ridge, lifting his 2-year-old son, Joey, down from his first horseback ride.
His wife, Kylee Danielczyk, said the event connected families from the library programs. “It is nice to see the families we meet there at this too,” she said.
Salima Abdallah, also of Chicago Ridge, watched her grandchildren play in the foam pool and water slide. “Things like this are great for the community,” she said.
Scott Pierce wiped soap from his grandson Asher Okreglak’s face before the 2-year-old jumped back into the water. “We used to go to the one in Worth when we lived there. This is my first time coming here and it is a lot of fun for everyone,” Pierce said.
Jessika Kunkes, keeping watch over her three sons, ages 7 to 13, said the event mattered to the village. “It is a great event they put on every year. It is kind of a blessing that we have something like this for the community to get together,” she said.
Police Chief Anthony Layman, promoted earlier this year, said organizers added the water slide after its success at the village’s 250th block party co-hosted with the library. “We try to have something new every year,” he said.
The department handed out 400 pizza slices and ran a raffle offering gift cards, school supply backpacks, and bicycles.
“We couldn’t do it without all our sponsors and the other local organizations,” Layman said, gesturing to tents staffed by the Jon’s Way teen club, Boy Scouts, and other nonprofits.
Trustee Roger Meslar connected the event to the village’s identity. “With the 250th celebration, this is another example of the small-town feel that Chicago Ridge has. We’re known for having two and three generations staying here,” he said.
Village Clerk Barbara Harrison thanked residents for attending. “It is nice to look around and see everyone having fun,” she said.
