Members of Orland Park's Dance Company dance during Sunday's holiday parade. (Photos by Jeff Vorva)
Orland Park gets in the holiday spirit with parade and tree lighting
Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau dons a Santa hat and hands out candy during the parade.
By Jeff Vorva
The Village of Orland Park’s lighting of the Christmas tree ceremony has been going on for decades, but its holiday parade just completed its sophomore run.
The second holiday parade kicked off the festivities on Sunday followed by Mayor Keith Pekau and a group of children pulling the switch to not only light the village’s Christmas tree, but a large group of lighted décor items displayed near Village Hall.
Santa Claus greets children and families at the Orland Park Civic Center on Sunday.
The Civic Center housed food, entertainment, items for purchase and a long line for families to visit Santa.
Thousands turned out for the event and the mayor enjoyed seeing that.
“The turnout was great,” he said. “The event keeps getting bigger and bigger and the parade was great. People enjoyed it. The rain held off.
“We have a great community and it shows when everyone comes out for these events.”
Some of the parade entrants were from Automedics Inc., Baird and Warner, Bobby’s UltiMUTT Dog Training, Calvary Church, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School, Carl Sandburg High School Chamber Singers, Carl Sandburg High School Marching Band, City Nation Studios/Dance Workshop, Cub Scouts Pack 372 Orland Park, European Wax Center, EXP Realty, Granite Mountain, Heights Cycle, Hobby Town, Jingle Johns, Miss National American Teen, Nicky V’s Food Truck, North American Beauty Pageant and Northwestern Medicine .
Also marching and walking in the parade were the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce, the Orland Park Children’s Theater, the Orland Park Fire Service Unit 614, the Orland Park Pioneers Football organization, the Orland Park Public Library, the Orland Park Recreation and Parks Department, Orland Park Special Recreation, Orland Park Sting Football Club, Orland School District 135 the Orland Township Highway Department, the Orland Youth Association, Ozinga Merry Mixer, Polish Folklore Dance Group Mali Hyrni, Boys Scouts of America Troop 318, Shine.FM 89.7, the Village of Orland Park Public Works , the Village of Orland Park Mini, Junior and Senior Dance Company and the Village of Orland Park officials.
Bringing up the rear of the parade was Santa himself.
Members of Orland Park’s village board pose after the lighting of the Christmas tree on Sunday.
Local News
Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.
Neighbors
As state continues to inventory lead pipes, full replacement deadlines are decades away
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com Lead pipes in public water systems and drinking fixtures have been banned in new construction since 1986, when Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, but they are still in use across the U.S. and in Illinois. The presence of lead pipes has persisted due in part to…
Capitol Briefs: State unveils report on racial disparities among homeless populations
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Tackling homelessness requires addressing racial injustice, according to a new report commissioned by the state’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness. The report found that Black people are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than white people. Remedying this disparity, according to the report, would require “long-term…
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…
Bears pitch $3.2B stadium plan, but Pritzker still ‘skeptical’ despite team’s $2B pledge
By DILPREET RAJU & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The Chicago Bears laid out a $3.2 billion plan for a new domed stadium on Chicago’s lakefront on Wednesday afternoon, painting pictures of future Super Bowls and other major public events while pinning their hopes on yet-to-be-had conversations with the governor and lawmakers. The Bears…
Regulators weigh future of gas industry in Illinois, while clamping down on Chicago utility
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Natural gas is fueling a fight between consumer advocates, a powerful utility company and the state. Amid competing advertising campaigns, accusations of mismanagement and state decarbonization efforts, the Illinois Commerce Commission is starting a process that will shape how the state regulates the increasingly controversial industry. …
Komatsu mining truck named 2024 ‘coolest thing made in Illinois’
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A mining truck manufactured by Komatsu was crowned the winner of the 2024 “Makers Madness” contest, earning the title of “the coolest thing made in Illinois” at the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday. The truck was one of more than 200 entries in the 5th annual contest hosted…
Giannoulias calls for disclosure of lobbyist contracts
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – For decades, lobbyists in the Illinois Statehouse have been required to report how much they spend wining, dining and entertaining lawmakers. Currently, though, there is no law requiring lobbyists to disclose how much they are paid by corporations, industry groups or other special interest organizations. That…
Illinois Senate advances changes to state’s biometric privacy law after business groups split
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – It’s been more than a year since the Illinois Supreme Court “respectfully suggest(ed)” state lawmakers clarify a law that’s led to several multi-million-dollar settlements with tech companies over the collection of Illinoisans’ biometric data. On Thursday, a bipartisan majority in the Illinois Senate did just that,…
Illinoisans can now get documents notarized online
By ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinoisans who need a notary public can now access those services online through a new “E-Notary” portal launched by the secretary of state’s office. This process is one of the latest initiatives of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ ongoing effort to modernize the office and its services. Notaries…
Prairie Band Potawatomi becomes 1st federally recognized tribe in Illinois
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Nearly 200 years after Native Americans were forced out of Illinois, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has become the first federally recognized tribal nation in the state after a decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior last week. The move represents the first victory in the tribe’s…