Community Corner

Patch's Guide to the 2013 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.

The time has come for Orland Days, our local four-day festival of food, rides, music and a parade, all organized and managed by volunteers with the Orland Park Lions Club.

The festival will be held as before at the 153rd Street Metra Station north lot starting Wednesday night through Sunday night.The grounds will only be open to those invited daytime Thursday for the Norm Meyer Day, which is reserved for about 1,800 special needs students this year. They will receive access to the carnival rides and a free lunch courtesy of the Lions Club, according to Orland Park Lions Club President Todd Probasco. Grounds will then open afterward at 5 p.m. Thursday for other attendees.

“All money raised goes to charity,” Probasco said, about festival proceeds. “We give it all away to people in need.”


What’s New for the 2013 Orland Days?


Beer will be served in aluminum cans this year instead of from kegs, and craft beers will be available, along with wine and Mike’s Hard Lemonade.Friday’s music line up will be country focused, while Saturday and Sunday will include past performers, such as McCarthy RoadLibido Funk Circus and Infinity, as well as others.Look at the flier above for a full music lineup, including times.  


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)
  • Pelican Harry’s – Pulled pork, Italian sausage kabobs, homemade chips
  • NuVibe – Smoothies
  • Dairy Queen – Frozen desserts
  • Knights of Columbus  – Sweet corn and French fries


Tickets


Wristbands to access carnival rides are now sold at Walgreens locations within 11 miles of the festival grounds, $15 for all-day.Wristbands will also be available at the festival for $22 for all day.Access to the entertainment tent will be $5 Friday, Saturday and Sunday.


Parade


The 2013 Orland Days Parade will begin 1 p.m. Sunday, June 2.The route starts at Orland Junior High, continues south on West Avenue and then heads west on 153rd Street to the Orland Days grounds near the 153rd Street Metra Station.This year’s theme is “Year of the Cheerleader,” according to Probasco. Four former Carl Sandburg High School cheerleaders will be grand marshals.

  • Emily Olmstead, Class of 2006
  • Deanna Besbekos, Class of 2006
  • Melissa Benigno, Class of 2009
  • Caitlin Buerger, Class of 2009
“We’re recognizing all the local cheerleaders past and present,” Probasco said. “We thought with all of the different groups we recognize, the cheerleaders didn’t get their due. They work very hard as well.”

For more information about Orland Days, visit the Orland Park Lions Club website.

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