Independence Day is past, but there’s a lot of summer left and lots to do in Homewood and Flossmoor. Use this list to plan out the rest of the season.
Community Band concert July 6
Volunteer musicians from Homewood and Flossmoor come together on Thursday, July 6, to perform in a free concert at 7 p.m. at Irwin Park.The program is a tribute to animals, large and small featuring special guests the Sounds of Illinois Brass Choir. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the performance.
The Beast Obstacle Course July 9
For those who are up for a physical challenge, try the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club’s Beast Obstacle Course. The endurance course will be open from 8 a.m. til noon on Sunday, July 9, in the field behind the club at 2920 W. 183rd St. in Homewood. Kids 6 to 14 years old will have a course with eight obstacles and a 1-mile run; persons 15 and older will have 16 obstacles and total of 2 miles run. Fee is $45.
IPO summer concerts
Members of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra will be giving two July concerts at Olympia Fields Country Club featuring selected sections of the orchestra.
July 12 – “Winds & Keys” featuring an IPO quartet with Cynthia Fudala on flute; Naomi Bensdorf Frisch on oboe; Claire Werling on clarinet; Matthew Hogan, bassoon and Marilyn Burgeois on piano.
July 26 – “Jazz @ OFCC” with the Shout Section Big Band and vocalist Tatum Langley.
Concert goers can select from a 6:15 p.m. or a 7:45 p.m. concert. Tickets are $39 per concert. Information is at IPOmusic.org or call 708-481-7774. Guests also can enjoy dinner at the country club which is open to nonmembers for this IPO series with reservations beforehand at 708-748-0495.
Starry Nights July 13
The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District presents its second Starry Nights concert featuring “Good Clean Fun” with family fun and games from 5 to 7 p.m. before the 7 p.m. concert at Irwin Park. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
BBQ for the Troops July 15
Chevrolet of Homewood will host its annual BBQ for the Troops from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the dealership, 18033 Halsted St. Proceeds from donations go to United Service Organizations (USO), which provides support for active duty military service members and their families.
Seniors Picnic Lunch July 19
The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District is sponsoring a Seniors Polka Dots and Picnic Lunch from noon to 2 p.m. July 19 at the Irwin Center. After a meal, enjoy outdoor games including bingo, bags and 50/50 raffle. Information is at hfparks.com.
Chamber Night in Flossmoor July 19
The Village of Flossmoor and the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce are hosting Chamber Night with a performance by members of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, on the steps of the Flossmoor Public Library. Bring a chair. Before the free concert, guests are encouraged to dine and shop in downtown Flossmoor.
HSC Fundraiser July 20
Come out to support the science initiatives of the Homewood Science Center at SummerFest. The event moves to Idlewild Country Club and will feature summer favorite food stations, DJ Phil providing the songs, STEM for adults, games and an online auction with amazing gifts. Tickets are $75 at homewoodsciencecenter.org.
Gotts-Chalk in Homewood
Art & Garden Fair. (Chronicle file photo)
The newest summer fun event in Homewood will be Gotts-Chalk on Martin Avenue in downtown. Bring your creativity to the front of the historic Gottschalk House and decorate away between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. in July 23. Food and fun treats will be available for purchase.
H-F Day at Sox Park July 30
Wear your red and white and represent the communities of Homewood and Flossmoor for H-F Day Sunday, July 30, as the Chicago White Sox take on Cleveland in a 1:10 p.m. game.
Tickets can be purchased directly online at: https://fevo.me/homewoodflossmoor2023. Ticket prices range from $22 to $42 dollars.
National Night Out Aug. 1
medical helicopter at
National Night Out in
Homewood. (Chronicle
file photo)
This national celebration recognizing our men and women in blue will be celebrated in Flossmoor from 5 to 8 p.m. at village hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road. Participants will learn about the police, fire and public works departments. The event includes games, refreshments and demonstrations from the departments. Vehicles will be on display for touch-a-truck opportunities.
Homewood’s event from 5 to 8 p.m. at Irwin Park will be a themed event: Homewood Police Department meets Hawaii 5-O! Wear a Hawaiian shirt and join the fun with summer foods, water balloon toss, and the UCAN helicopter landing.
Grown-Up Night at the Splash Pad
Come together with friends for a night of adult fun at Millennium Park’s Splash Pad take-over from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. There will be games, including bags and frisbee, and food and adult drinks will be available for purchase.
Kids drama presentation Aug. 11
“The Reluctant Dragon,” is a comedic story about the dragon meeting St. George who is meant to slay the dragon. A twist of fate has a young lad befriending both and helping to arrange a change of heart. The presentation will be at 6 p.m. at the Irwin Park bandshell. Tickets are $5.
PGA Tour in Olympia Fields
Watch the professionals play golf for the PGA Tour Playoffs: the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club Aug. 15 through 20. Ticket information is at bmwchampionship.com.
Back to School Night Movie
As the summer season winds down, come to the family-friendly movie presentation at Flossmoor Park. Starting at 6 p.m., enjoy fun activities and giveaways with the Village of Flossmoor, Flossmoor Public Library, Flossmoor School District 161, Homewood-Flossmoor High School, and the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District. The movie will be presented at dusk.
Truckin’ Back to School Aug. 26
The Village of Homewood and School District 153 are sponsoring a noon to 4 p.m. event on Saturday, Aug. 26, to mark the start of another school year. Throughout the day, kids will enjoy the touch-a-truck activities, a climbing wall and music. Organizations will be available to share information with families, and food will be available for purchase. The location is Homewood Village Hall, 2020 Chestnut Road.
Kids Concert
Join the fun at a free concert for kids given by Istvan & His Imaginary Band at 10 a.m. July 18 at Irwin Park in Homewood. Sing and clap along to his original tunes that combine with rock, country, pop and punk sounds.
Bubble-ology
Yes, what’s more fun than making bubbles – of all sizes! Spend an hour from 10 to 11 a.m. July 30 discovering the fun of bubbles. This program is for kids ages 2-10 and is at Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center. Remember to wear clothes that can get soapy and wet, and bring a towel. Pre-registration is required. A non-paying adult must accompany child. Registration is at hfparks.com.
Acoustic After Hours
Andrew Robert Palmer, an indie-rock/folk singer-songwriter will entertain with songs that draw inspiration from his upbringing in Hazel Crest and address universal themes. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, at the Homewood Library. This performance is open to persons 18 and older.
Phoebe Hunt Concert
Trail Mix Music Series presents Phoebe Hunt who brings her country sounds to the stage at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Izaak Walton Preserve. Joining her as special guest is Adjacent Cruise. For information visit www.trailmixmusic.org.
Tennis Lessons
The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District offers weekly tennis lessons with kids grouped by ages 5-7 from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m., ages 7-10 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., ages 11-14 from 12:15 to 2:15 p.m. and ages 14-18 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sessions meet Mondays through Thursdays through Aug. 3 at the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club. Registration and fee information is at hfparks.com.
Hobo Jungle
Kids ages 7-13 bring out their creative spirit at the park district’s annual Hobo Jungle, a two-week session of building fun. Sessions are 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 3 through 14 and July 25 through Aug. 5 at Flossmoor Park. Registration and fee information is at hfparks.com.
White Sox Camp
White Sox Summer Camp offers training sessions on throwing, hitting, fielding and base running with professional coaches from the Chicago White Sox. Camp is for kids ages 5 through 12. Sessions at Lions Club Park meet Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 31 through Aug. 3. Register at whitesox.com/play.
Dungeons & Dragons
Learn to play the game Dungeons & Dragons at the Homewood Science Center. Classes for kids 8-12 will be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. or 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 31, Aug. 1, 2 and 3. Sessions focus on the game that teaches strategies in teamwork, creativity, reading and math. Details are at homewoodsciencecenter.org.
Nature Camps
The Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center offers weekly Nature Kids Camp through Aug. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for campers ages 5-10. “We” Nature Camp for ages 3-5 meets 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays July 10-14 and July 24-28.
Summer Reading Teenpalooza
The Homewood Public Library presents its Teen Summer Reading Finale from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 21, from teens grades 7-12. There will be carnival-type games, face painting, music, food and prizes. Entertainment is by Six of Spades. Registration is preferred and can be made at homewoodlibrary.org.
Peaceful Sound Bath
The Flossmoor Public Library hosts an adult program with Preston Klik of Klik’s Ocean of Devotion Gong Meditation, a gentle, often quiet but at time powerfully intense experience. His 90-minute program includes a 36-inch heart gong, as well as crystal and Himalayan bowls, Native flute, ocean drums and more. Registration is required at flossmoorlibrary.org. This program is open to persons 18 and older. Attendees can bring a yoga mat, blanket and pillow.
Improv Camp
There are tricks to improvisation. Get an inside look at how it’s done at Improv Summer Camp July 24 through 28. Sessions use age/level appropriate games and exercises to learn the magic of improvisation. Ages 6-7 from 10 to 10:45 a.m.; age 8-10 from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m., ages 11-13 from 11:30-12:30, and 14-17 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Goldberg Administration Center in Flossmoor. Registration and fee information is at hfparks.com.
Makey-Makey Design Studio
At the Homewood Science Center, kids ages 8-11 will get to use Scratch to code and customize a game they design out of cardboard. To learn more, or to register, visit homewoodsciencecenter.org.
Nature Teen Camp
Open to kids entering grades 6-8 in the fall, this camp as the fun of Nature Kids Camp, plus a trip or a visiting guest, adventure-based activities and stewardship. Sessions are 8:30 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday each week through Aug. 4. Details are at hfparks.com.
Art for Kids
Instructor Terry Nemchock offers a variety of options, from drawing to crafts. All sessions are at the Irwin Center in Homewood.
- Summer Art Workshop for ages 6-12 from 2-5 p.m. July 7, Aug. 7 and Aug. 21.
- Art Club for kids ages 6-11 from 2:30-4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, July 10 through Aug. 2.
- Drawing is Fun for ages 6-12 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays, July 15, 22 and 29.
- Summer Crafts for Kids ages 6-12 from 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 4 and 18.
Registrations are at hfparks.com.
Outdoor Hike at Night
Irons Oaks invites you to a Night Hike with naturalists from 8:30-9:30 p.m. on July 20 (repeated Aug. 18). Your guide will teach you about the woods at night. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Details are at hfparks.com.
Magic Class
How’d he do that? Magician Gary Kantor will let kids in on a few of his secrets at Abracadabra Magic Class for kids ages 5-12 on Friday, July 21, at the Irwin Center in Homewood. Learn to use cards, ropes, coins, mind-reading and more! Registration is at hfparks.com.
Prepare for the Eclipse
Did you know, there will be two impressive solar eclipses – one in October and a second in April 2024? Michelle Nichols will offer information on what eclipses are, where to see them, when to look and how to view solar eclipses safely at a 7 p.m. presentation Aug. 17 at the Flossmoor Public Library. Information is at flossmoorlibrary.org.