Village of Orland Park to Celebrate America’s Birthday

The Village of Orland Park has planned action packed days with fun and patriotic events to celebrate America’s birthday. The village’s Recreation Department oversees the community’s festivities each year, offering a wealth of activities to celebrate Independence Day.

“Orland Park’s July 4th celebrations go back decades,” said Mayor Dan McLaughlin. “Longtime residents remember when the firemen would set up the fireworks display near 151st and 94th Avenue, before the malls were built. They’d walk along the street, collecting donations from the audience to help pay for the fireworks,” he added.

“In the 1980s, the village had manual fireworks at the John Humphrey Complex with people showing up at 8:30 p.m. to see the fireworks and then going home. Now, families plan their July 4th parties around the village’s festivities,” said Trustee Pat Gira, chair of the village’s Recreation and Parks Committee.

A majority of the village’s events will be held at Centennial Park, 15600 West (100th) Avenue. Further information is available by calling the village’s Recreation Department at 708-403-7275 and can be found on the village’s website at www.orland-park.il.us.

 Concert at Colette Highlands

The village will host a free concert featuring The City Lights Orchestra at Centennial Park West in the Colette Highlands Subdivision on Sunday, June 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs, picnics and snacks. Concessions will be available for purchase. Centennial Park West is located at Park Station Boulevard and Somerglen Lane.

Liberty Family Fun Run & Walk

Orland Park’s Liberty Family Fun Run & Walk is a holiday favorite. Held on Wednesday, July 3rd at Centennial Park, this 2 mile fun run and 1 mile fun walk will have participants of all ages traveling throughout Centennial Park.

Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. with the race/walk beginning at 7 p.m. The Fun Run costs $14 per participant for residents and $20 for non-residents. The Fun Walk costs $8 per participant for residents and $12 for non-residents. Registration information is available by calling the Recreation Department at 708/403-PARK.

Awards will be given to the first overall male and female finishers and the top three finishers in each age group. Post race refreshments and raffle are included.

Back again this year is the exciting 50 Yard Dash for Kids. Pre-registration is not required for this event, open to those ages four to eight. It will be held at 7:30 p.m., with awards to all participants. Sign ups for the kids’ run will be at the Liberty Run Start/Finish Line.

Final Say

Final Say will perform on the main stage on Thursday, July 4 from 7:15 p.m. until the fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. The band’s repertoire includes the latest top 40 hits to classics.

Presentation of Colors and Fireworks

Members of the Orland-Palos Reber-Tesmond Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2604 will present colors at 9:15 p.m., followed by fireworks in the southwest sky.

Sponsors of the village’s July 4th festivities include 22nd Century Media, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Spaceco, Inc., Midwest Environmental Medicine, Aileen S. Andrew Foundation and AAA Insurance.

Sponsors also include Day & Robert P.C., Speer Financial, Branningan Chiropractic, Orland Park Bank & Trust and Berkot’s Super Foods.

Further information about the Village of Orland Park’s Independence Celebration is available by calling the Recreation Department at 708-403-PARK or on the village’s website at www.orland-park.il.us.