About 1,500 patrons turned out for the Northbrook Park District’s free event Party on the Green at Village Green Park in downtown Northbrook on Aug. 17.
The weather was breezy at 77 degrees when the Saturday outdoor event began at 4 p.m. with sunny skies. A huge dark rain cloud came over at one point early in the event and then was gone.
Being a good sport and holding up the blanket to shield children in the group was parent Steven Kish of Northbrook.
“Northbrook does a great job making the village fun and bringing people together,” Kish said. “Rain won’t stop the day, this is awesome.”
Like last year, the event perimeter had temporary fencing and entrances for security bag checks.
Food truck and local restaurant fare choices were available for purchase. There were inflatables for kids to bounce on and children’s activities. There were giveaways too.
Live music on stage featured The Wayouts with 1960s music and Maggie Speaks with high-energy pop music.
Dancing to The Wayouts were Tom May and his wife May May of Northbrook.
“We like swing, we like cha cha, we like salsa,” May May said. “We like everything.”
May May said Village Green Park as a venue, “is beautiful.
“Especially with the set up here, people have a chance to dance and enjoy the music.”
Also dancing to The Wayouts was Shari Cohen of Northbrook who just moved to the village six months ago from the Homewood Flossmoor area.
“We’ve gone to every concert (at Village Green Park) since we’ve been here,” Cohen said.
“I love it,” Cohen said about dancing, adding, “You have to force yourself to get in the habit, every single day, get up, either walk, I do stretches on the ground, you have to find something and move every single day. You really have to.
“I try to swim a mile every day if I can,” Cohen added.
Jeff and Rachel Schoenfield of Northbrook brought their children Lila, 2, and Logan, 6.
“We’re so excited to be able to come down to the park and have fun with our kids,” Jeff Schoenfield said. “It’s so amazing that the Northbrook Park District puts this on.”
The playground was busier than usual with children. Many youngsters were seen running around with face-painting designs.
At dusk was the 2023 Dreamworks animated jukebox musical comedy film “Trolls Band Together.”
“These events are amazing and make living in Northbrook all that more special and wonderful,” said Helee Lev of Northbrook. “It makes us feel like a tight community.”
Marc and Alexa Schoen of Northbrook brought their daughter Cassidy, 15 months.
“We love bringing our daughter to the park,” Alexa Schoen said. “It’s great to have this space for all of us to play.”
Nancy Eschker, recreation manager for the Northbrook Park District, was pleased with the turnout at an event that has happened for several years.
“It’s a great community event because there’s something for all ages here,” Eschker said.
School starts in August for many local children.
“It’s an end of the summer bash for the families,” Eschker said. “We love our community and it’s a lot of fun.”
Visit https://www.nbparks.org.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
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