Hickory Hills residents packed Kasey Meadow Park Tuesday evening, August 5, for National Night Out, filling the lawn for two hours.
The event, organized by the Hickory Hills Park District and Police Department, featured live music from Nashville Electric Company, face painting, snacks, games, and a busy dunk tank.
Green Hills Library staff also joined in, offering information and giveaways from their table. Adult services librarians Janet Gatz and Anna Cimpeanu spent the evening chatting with guests.
“I really like interacting with the people from the area,” said Gatz. “Even though our library is based in Palos Hills, we serve both cities, so it’s nice to see Hickory Hills folks out here.”
Cimpeanu added, “I love seeing all the new faces, letting people know what they can have from the library. And it’s also been really nice seeing all the kids able to run and play as loud as they’d like.”
The crowd quickly grew. “I had to park way down yonder,” one guest said. “We got one of the last spots.” Kids were seen running, laughing, eating, with treats in hand.
Eleven-year-old Maria Majchrowicz called it “the most fun I’ve had,” after scoring a free Frisbee, soda and snacks.
Gabriel and Izabela Gawlak came with their friend Kasimir Wrobel, and the three moved from activity to activity. “The free stuff. Candy, Frisbees, food, snacks, water,” said Gabriel. Kasimir added that he liked “all the activities and being with my friends.”
Izabela smiled and said simply, “The band. And the music.” Later, Izabela shared more about what made the night special for her. “I love performing and spending time with my family,” she said. She didn’t perform on stage, but the lights and live music made her feel like she could have. “I like pop music. And cheer,” she added.
Yuan, 3, and her sister Freya Tayna, 4, came dressed up and got their faces painted. Their mom stood nearby, watching them run. “This is the best community,” she said. “My kids are having so much fun.”
The dunk tank was one of the evening’s busiest spots. Police Chief Adam Gulczynski took his second round in the seat, with Detective Michael Franks stepping up afterward. The chief was thrilled to see so many residents turn out. Participants lined up for a chance to dunk officers, with proceeds benefiting the Hinsdale Humane Society, a nonprofit organization that works closely with Hickory Hills Police for strays and impounded dogs and cats.
I even had a chance to dunk the chief. I missed.
He stayed dry for that round, but not for long – someone else dunked him shortly after.
