Patch’s Guide to the 2012 Orland Days

Food, music, a parade, carnival rides and more. We put together what you need to know for the fest running through Sunday night.

By Ben Feldheim
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May 30, 2012

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Power Surge (3 tickets), winner of “What Just Happened?” “Rush!” and “Post Dizziness” awards

BF: We next strapped into the roller coaster harnesses after heeding a slightly ominous warning from the operator, who said, “anything in your pockets will fall out.” It starts out as a simple flat circle that goes vertical, but then the whole machine starts spinning. And that’s not all. Your pod unhinges and starts spinning on its own. Three different types of spin at the same time, and a lot of sudden G’s. Grip tightly for this ride. NZ: I wasn't quite expecting the wild range of motion that this ride provided. I guess I should have heeded the sign posted at the ride entrance that read, "Guests should expect rapidly changing forces". This one had me holding on for dear life and scared to open my eyes to see what terrifying view was next. The only thing more frightening than the ride at the time was my riding partner's shrill scream begging the operator to stop the ride. This one has my vote for most post-dizziness. I recommend this one for a rush! FC: Definitely a white knuckle ride. You’re flipped and flopped, all the while rotating 360 degrees at maximum speed. At certain points during the ride, especially as the wheel was turning towards the ground, I thought I was going to fly out of my seat. While I pride myself for being a carnival ride champion, this ride had me begging to be let out early. Worth every ticket.

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BF: We next strapped into the roller coaster harnesses after heeding a slightly ominous warning from the operator, who said, “anything in your pockets will fall out.” It starts out as a simple flat circle that goes vertical, but then the whole machine starts spinning. And that’s not all. Your pod unhinges and starts spinning on its own. Three different types of spin at the same time, and a lot of sudden G’s. Grip tightly for this ride.
NZ: I wasn't quite expecting the wild range of motion that this ride provided. I guess I should have heeded the sign posted at the ride entrance that read, "Guests should expect rapidly changing forces". This one had me holding on for dear life and scared to open my eyes to see what terrifying view was next. The only thing more frightening than the ride at the time was my riding partner's shrill scream begging the operator to stop the ride. This one has my vote for most post-dizziness. I recommend this one for a rush!
FC: Definitely a white knuckle ride. You’re flipped and flopped, all the while rotating 360 degrees at maximum speed. At certain points during the ride, especially as the wheel was turning towards the ground, I thought I was going to fly out of my seat. While I pride myself for being a carnival ride champion, this ride had me begging to be let out early. Worth every ticket.

Credit Ben Feldheim

Credit Rebecca Wharrie

Jack Maher from Crestwood tries his hand at some springy acrobatics.

Credit Ben Feldheim

BF: Major contender for best in show. They keep the corn in the steaming after grilling in the husk right until it’s served, and until it gets a bath in melted butter. But the corn itself is cooked to tender with no mush, and is sweet enough with nothing added.
NZ: Corn on the cob roasted in the husk then dipped in butter? Mama was happy. I will be back tomorrow for more.
FC: Super sweet corn roasted in the husk, then shucked and dunked in melted butter. Just the right amount of char. What else can I say? Did I mention it was dunked in melted butter?

Credit Ben Feldheim

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Bob tries to guess your editor's age. Let's see how he does, and if I win that Taylor Lautner thing.

Credit Ben Feldheim http://o1.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/resize/273x203/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/650fc0d2c6887feb8d2398982721320c

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June in Orland Park means a little more than an official start to summer.

It is time again for Orland Days, the four-day festival that brings people together for food, rides and fun, all assembled and put on by the Orland Park Lions Club.

The festival will be held again at the 153^rd Street Metra Station north lot Wednesday through Sunday.

The fest will only be open to those invited daytime Thursday for the Norm Meyer Day, but will open publically at 5 p.m.

Here is what will be available during the fest:

Food

Papa Joe’s Restaurant – Pizza, Italian beef, meatball sandwiches

RS Concessions – Italian ice, funnel cakes, chicken strips, nachos, pretzels, deep fried candy (Twinkies, Snickers)

Jersey Mike’s – Subs, philly cheesesteaks & Tasty Cakes (New Jersey dessert, similar to Hostess products)

Pelican Harry’s – Pulled pork, Italian sausage kabobs, homemade chips

NuVibe – Smoothies

Music

Performances will be held in the beer tent all weekend.

Wed.-Thurs.: Live DJ

Friday:

Saturday:

(music starts at 1 p.m.)

Sunday:

(music starts at 1 p.m.)

Parade

The 2012 Orland Days Parade will be held Sunday, June 3 at 1 p.m.

The route goes from Orland Junior High, down West Avenue and then west on 153^rd Street to the Orland Days grounds near the 153^rd Street Metra Station.

Look for Patch staff during the parade who will be handing out prizes.

Check out our gallery from last year’s parade.

Rides

Carnival rides and games will be available for people young and old, short and tall. See our galleries and attached pictures from last year for examples of rides.

Hours

5 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday
5 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday*
Noon-11 p.m. Saturday*
Noon-10 p.m. Sunday

*The beer tent will remain open until midnight.

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Related Topics: 2012 Orland Days and Orland Days

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linda kwiatt

11:52 am on Wednesday, May 30, 2012

in the future will you please state the kind of music each band plays (country, rock, jazz etc)
isn t there always a beatles band? which group is that?
one year at the irish fest they stated a certain band was a neil diamond tribute band but just by the name you wouldn t have known but it made a difference to us as we attended because my husband is a fan

Paul

9:01 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012

you can click the link and see what most of the bands play.. hope that helps

Ben Feldheim

9:22 am on Thursday, May 31, 2012

Hi Linda, sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday. A lot of these bands have actual song samples on their websites, which is why I thought to include the links and let you folks decide. But that said I do see what you mean. Please let me know if clicking on their names helps answer any questions you have. Thanks.