Giant Block Party on Aug. 18 celebrates Homewood’s 125th anniversary

Homewood’s 13th annual Giant Block Party on Aug. 18 will help celebrate its neighborhoods in recognition of the village’s 125th anniversary. The event downtown from noon until 9 p.m. will be on Martin Avenue between Ridge and Hickory roads.

There will be something for all ages, including music, games, kid-centered crafts, an adventure slide, an obstacle course, bounce house, spoon-egg races and a zipline.
 

The block party is sponsored by the Homewood Community Relations Commission and is free and open to the public. Some games will require a donation that will benefit the Homewood-Flossmoor High School Viking Choir performance trip to Italy in spring 2019. 
 

The Homewood Historical Society will help residents discover the village’s history and Dover Chemistry and Technology is sponsoring the Homewood Science Center’s PopUp Science “Bubble Bash” exploring surface tension, chemistry and geometry from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Additional attractions include a dunk tank from noon to 6 p.m. sponsored by St. Joseph’s Athletic Association and Youth Ministry to benefit children’s sports and outreach ministries. The Community Relations Committee is hosting a family crafts area, including spin art from noon to 2 p.m. and sand art from 2 to 4 p.m.

“Homewood enjoys coming together as a community,” Mayor Richard Hofeld said. “Not every block in Homewood hosts a party so the village is hosting a giant block party for the whole town to get together and have a good time. Bring the family and invite the neighbors. I look forward to seeing you there.”

Scribble Monster will provide kids entertainment at 1 p.m. The group, including Homewood resident Jim Dague, began making music for children in 2001. 
 

The teen band Timeless takes the stage from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., followed by Undercover from 4 to 6 p.m. Undercover performs classic rock music. 

Hush Train closes the night from 7 to 9 p.m. with covers of performers like Beyoncé, Cee-Lo Green, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Janelle Monáe and James Brown.
 
The Cancer Support Center will use the block party to close the auction on this summer’s Chairs with a Purpose fundraiser, part of the year-long celebration marking the center’s 25th anniversary. Homewood residents and businesses decorated Adirondack chairs which have been on display all summer throughout downtown Homewood. Chairs with a Purpose on-line bidding starts Aug. 13 and will end at 5 p.m. at the block party. Proceeds benefit the Cancer Support Center.
 
Food vendors include Cilantro Cocina Mexicana, The Cottage on Dixie, Dairy Queen, Decadent Donuts, EmpanadUS, Fratello’s of Homewood, Rabid Brewing, Sno-Daze Tropical Snow and Wiley’s Grill.
 
Homewood Giant Block Party Schedule of Events:

For more information visit www.HomeSweetHomewood.com or call the Homewood Village Hall at 708-798-3000.