
Madalyn Davison, 5, of Oak Lawn, had fun riding the Ferris Wheel at last year's Palos Hills Friendship Fest at Moraine Valley Campus, 107th and 88th Avenue in Palos Hills. (Photo by Kelly White)
Palos Hills Friendship Fest begins Thursday at Moraine Valley
By Bob Bong
Palos Hills will kick off its annual Friendship Festival at 6 p.m. Thursday on the campus of Moraine Valley Community College.
The annual summer festival has been around for 38 years and will run through Sunday, July 10. This event will include a car show, carnival, kids’ entertainment, face painting, pony rides, petting zoo, a magician, bingo, adult bands, and food vendors, and will conclude with a fireworks display at dusk on Sunday night.
Hours are from 6-10 p.m. Thursday, from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, from noon to midnight Saturday and from 1-10:30 p.m. Sunday.
The festival returned last summer after being cancelled in 2020 at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
A free Special Needs Day will be offered from 3-5 p.m. on Friday. Guests with special needs will be able to attend without the large crowds and noise that will mark the other days. The fest will open to the general public at 6 p.m. For information, call 708-430-4500.
The Wilson Carnival will be going all weekend. Mega wrist bands good for unlimited rides are $50 if purchased by noon today at the Palos Hills Community Center. They will be $60 at the festival.
The food court will offer a variety of local fare and concessions starting at 6 p.m. tonight and Friday, and at noon on Saturday and Sunday.
The city takes great pride in its musical lineup. Bands this year will include: One of Those Night Band, Infinity Band, Ron Burgundy’s Band, American English Band, Centerfold Band, Friday at 5, and Coverlicious Band.
The Palos Hills Police Department will be on hand daily to ensure all attendees participated safely in all festival activities.
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