THE WEEK >
Your government
Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Board of Commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, in the Goldberg Administration Center, 3301 Flossmoor Road. The agenda is available here.
Flossmoor Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, in village hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road. The agenda is available here. Most of the meeting will be held in closed session to discuss personnel issues.
Stuff not to do
Fireworks. The Village of Homewood is reminding residents to “be a good neighbor this upcoming holiday week and weekend and leave the fireworks to the professionals.” Most fireworks are illegal in Illinois, with fines up to $750 if cited. There is a risk of injury or death if fireworks and mishandled. Fireworks can start structure fires. And fireworks cause serious stress for people and animals who are sensitive to loud sounds.
See area Independence day celebrations and fireworks show times below.
Stuff to do
Monday, June 30
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will show “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. as part of its Summer Movie Night Series.
June 30 through July 3
Stomping Grounds Day Camp. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stomping Grounds provides kids the classic summer camp experience, including games and projects, time at the pool, field trips, hands-on activities and more. No Camp on July 4. For kids entering grades K-5. Weekly fee is $152 for H-F Park District residents, $182 for non-residents. Click here to register.
Teen Camp. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. A camp designed for teens that includes three field trips per week, pool days, games, sports and other activities. No Camp on July 4.
For teens entering grades 6 through 8. Weekly fee is $167 for H-F Park District residents, $197 for non-residents. Click here to register.
June 30 through July 11
Hobo Jungle. Monday through Friday 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Flossmoor Park. Learn how to use basic carpentry tools while building full-size themed structures. Safety is stressed and reinforced. Campers will spend part of their day in the construction area and the rest playing organized games. The construction area is located under a nut tree. Sessions feature a camper T-shirt, a visit to Millennium Park Splash Pad and parent night. No Camp on July 4. For kids aged 7 through 13. Fee is $143 for H-F Park District residents, $173 for non-residents. Click here to register.
Tuesday, July 1
Choo-Choo Ride. GoodSpeed Cycle’s slow roll just riding around bike ride for all ages. Meet at the shop, 2125 W. 183rd St., at 6:30 p.m. The ride is about four miles at a leisurely pace. The ride ends at the shop around 7:30 p.m. with Dilly Bars and beers for riders. Helmets required.
Wednesday, July 2
Downtown Homewood Walking Tour. Village staff will lead a tour of downtown Homewood from 6 to 7 p.m., an opportunity to learn about the new Appearance Plan and its sign design standards. Participants can provide feedback about the new plan. Register here.
Friday, July 4
Children’s Bicycle Parade. Flossmoor will host its traditional Independence Day event sponsored by the Flossmoor Volunteer Fire Department. Kids are invited to decorate bikes and wagons in red, white and blue. The parade will travel east down Flossmoor Road and finish in the Western Avenue School parking lot with refreshments and fun. Line up will start at 9:30 a.m., then the parade will step off at 10 a.m. No motorized vehicles.
Homewood 4th of July Parade. The parade will start at 10 a.m. in the 17900 block of Dixie Highway. It will travel south to Ridge Road, then east to Izaak Walton Preserve, 1100 Ridge Road. Volunteers of Izaak Walton will host games, entertainment and delicious summer fare!
The quiet zone of the parade will be on Dixie Highway from the Homewood Fire Department to Ridge Road. Dixie Highway will be closed from Harwood Avenue to Ridge Road, Elm Road from Harwood Avenue to Dixie Highway, Chestnut Road from Harwood Avenue to Dixie Highway and Ridge Road from Martin Avenue to Lions Club Pool. The street closures will begin at 8 a.m. and remain closed until approximately 1 p.m.
4th of July Picnic. Izaak Walton Preserve volunteers will host the annual community picnic following the parade. There will be games for all ages starting at noon. There will be food and refreshments, including brats, hot dogs, hamburgers and sides from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be activity stations sponsored by local organizations, including Homewood Science Center, Homewood Baseball and Softball, The Art Corner, John Harrell State Farm Insurance, and The Outsiders Forest School.
Thornton Fireworks. Concessions open at 6 p.m. Fireworks show will start at dusk in Hubbard Park.
Glenwood 4th of July Festivities. The village will host a parade, kids’ games and music in the park. The parade will start at 3:30 p.m. at Glenwood Oaks, 106 N. Main St., and will travel east on Main Street to village hall. From 4 to 8 p.m. at Glenwoodie Golf Club, 19301 S. State St., there will be kids’ games, music by DJ Fly, a performance by the band Forbidden Fruit and a complimentary cookout meal while supplies last.
South Holland’s 4th of July Celebration. Free family fun festival from noon to 4 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 500 E. 160th Place, followed by fireworks display in the evening. The festival will include carnival games, bounce houses, petting zoo, obstacle course, pony wheel, food trucks and music by the Municipal Band. The park will close at 5 p.m. and will reopen at 6 p.m. There will be a $10 fee at the gate for non-residents aged 6 and up for the fireworks show. Click here to purchase non-resident tickets in advance.
Country Club Hills Fireworks. The show will start at dusk at the theater campus, 4116 W. 183rd St. Gates will open at 6 p.m. There will be a DJ and band.
Harvey Independence Day Celebration. Parade will start at 2 p.m. followed by carnival with food, games and rides. Fireworks will start about 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 5
Homewood Outdoor Farmers Market. The market will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Martin Square on Martin Avenue between Chestnut and Ridge roads in downtown Homewood. Vendors will offer fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafted jewelry, skincare and more. Food trucks will be on hand and ready-to-eat meals will be available.
STEM Saturday. Science play and learning from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway.
Barb & Dan’s Road Ride. Riders of all experience levels can join the group which leaves at 8 a.m. from GoodSpeed Cycles, 2125 183rd St. in Homewood. There is a no-drop group that rides about 20 miles and stronger riders sometimes go farther. Helmets required, daytime lights strongly recommended.
Off-leash Ride. A leisurely just-riding-around nine-mile ride every Saturday. Route includes Butterfield Creek bike path, Rovers Run and Izaak Walton Preserve. Starts at GoodSpeed Cycles, 2125 183rd St., at 8:30 a.m. sharp, ends back at the shop 9:45ish for donuts.
Plan ahead
Sunday, July 13
Garden Walk. The National Council of Jewish Women South Cook Section will host the organization’s 13th annual Southland Community Garden Walk from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, or $30 the day of the event. Participants will learn which gardens are open closer to the day of the event. For information visit www.ncjwsouthcook.org.
Wednesday, July 16
National Hot Dog Day. Homewood-Flossmoor Park District will host a hot dog cookout from noon to 2 p.m. in Irwin Park, 1800 block of Ridge Road in Homewood.
Tuesday, July 22
Blood Drive. Financial Advisor Patrick Zamkin will host a Versiti blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. at his office, 18735 Dixie Highway in Homewood. Make a reservation here. For details, call 708-798-9066.
Thursday, July 24
Chamber Night. The fifth annual Chamber Night will bring the music and family fun to a new location, Flossmoor Commons, starting at 5 p.m. There will be food, local business vendors and more great music, headlined by an Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra ensemble playing showtunes. Bel Canto Community Choir will open, and this year there will be an after party featuring Return 2 Soul with Keya Trammell. This is a free event.
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- Flossmoor Board approves 1% grocery tax to start Jan. 1 (June 25).
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- Miller, Brown, several others lining up to run for Kelly’s seat (June 25).
- ACT was perfect for H-F senior Julian Grisius (June 23).
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