OUR TRADITIONAL JULY 4th VILLAGE PICNIC!
Once again we enthusiastically sponsor for our community our traditional July 4 picnic which has been a local favorite in Homewood for decades. And for the fifth consecutive year, we will conduct Games for Everyone ! building on the increased participation from prior years as the concept has proved to be popular with enthusiastic participation across all age groups.
The event follows right after the Village’s 4th of July Parade which steps off at 10a from downtown. Preserve volunteers provide the facilities and offer food and refreshments for sale (cooked brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, corn on the cob, corn pudding, gourmet wraps, watermelon slices, ice cream and cookie treats, soft drinks, water etc.) from 11am to 2pm. Food and drink prices will be kept as low as possible as we intend to just break even for the event. How about an all beef hot dog and chips for $3 !
Games for Everyone will commence at noon out by the pavilion in our east meadow. We will conduct foot races for young age groups. Then for both older kids and adults we’ll have individual and 3 legged sack races, water balloon toss, egg toss & catch contest, and the final competition, the always exciting tug-a -war ! There will also be a bag toss tournament (limited to 16 teams), with cash prizes for 1st and 2nd place. Pick up volleyball will also be available and other games that we are working on. The games will start at 12:00p except for the bag toss tournament which will begin at 11:30a. All events will conclude at approximately 1:45p. No need to sign up in advance. ALL adult and youth winners will receive prizes---$5 Dairy Queen gift certificates.
Activity Stations will be also located around our beautiful grounds. Activity stations will offer fun things for younger kids to do such as: ball toss, Legos, building blocks, face painting and others as we think of them. Local sponsors so far include Homewood Science Center, Good Speed Cycle, John Harrell State Farm Insurance and perhaps others. We’ll be calling on a loyal group of volunteers from past July 4 events to help with the event but we could always use more help. If anyone wants to volunteer to help, please send an email to info@homewoodizaakwalton.com. Looking forward to seeing everyone on July 4th !
TRAIL MIX SUMMER OUTDOOR CONCERT
From its origins in 2016, Trail Mix has evolved from a one day event to highlight acoustic music with local bands to a higher level concert series now booking international, touring recording artists.
Now, in our 11th year, we’re excited to bring you something really special. We’ve hosted a Grammy winner before, but the one joining us on July 11th is actually one of our own: Christopher McBride is a New York City–based, Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist. A Homewood-Flossmoor High School alum, Christopher is coming home, and we’re thrilled to welcome he and his band to the Izaak Walton stage.
And we’re also bringing the Homewood-Flossmoor New Orleans Brass Band to our stage—an ensemble that’s been earning rave reviews of their own. It’s shaping up to be an incredible night.
This exciting summer concert takes place in our beautiful grounds area just east of our Ridge road entrance parking lot so you’re welcome to come early and enjoy the space. Officially, doors open at 6:00 PM and the music starts at 7:00 PM. Food and drink concessions will be offered by our volunteers with adult beverages provided by Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery.
For more information about Trail Mix, and where to buy tickets visit www.trailmixmusic.org. or find Trail Mix Productions on Facebook.
PAWS IN THE PRESERVE
We don’t usually have a general meeting and program in June, but we couldn’t resist this opportunity which was suggested by Laura Bruni of local business The Rock Shop on Dixie Highway, Paws in the Preserve will be a nature-based, animal-centric, community event that will bring together local rescues, shelters, veterinarians, animal behaviorists, pet-oriented businesses, and organizations to share accessible, holistic practices supporting the well-being, both physical and emotional, of our furry friends. Committed participants bringing pet oriented items so far include The Rock Shop, Blue Pearl Candles, Gaia’s Market and Refillery and Serendipity Yoga. We expect many more.
Set within the beautiful outdoor environment of Izaak Walton, this event invites guests to explore the preserve itself while fostering community connections through interactive experiences, educational offerings, and animal engagement.
Sonia Fetherling is the proud owner of Best of Behavior in Homewood. A great majority of her work in the greater Chicago area focuses on dogs with a wide range of difficult behavioral challenges. A professional trainer since 2000, Sonia works with both dogs and cats and is a sought-after speaker at professional training conferences and seminars, presenting both locally and internationally. Sonia believes in the power of connection, trust and play when working with dogs. Sonia’s own dog Kismet started her on a ’severe resource guarding’ journey, leading to Sonia developing helpful techniques and approaches to cases where standard modification techniques were either dangerous to apply or had already failed.
So, we encourage all dog owners to come out on this Sunday afternoon to enjoy the Preserve and no doubt learn something new about man’s best friend. Membership in the Preserve is required to bring your dog but we will relax that requirement for this event.
FAMILY CAMPOUT NIGHT
We are pleased to host a family camping opportunity at the Preserve on Friday night June 26. Tents can be set up in the grounds area in front of Blackbear Lodge any time after 6pm. We’ll have a campfire going at sunset. Bathrooms will be available all night. A local string, folk, bluegrass music group may provide some informal music around dusk for an hour or so. We’ll keep you posted on our website about that possibility. This annual event has been slowly gaining traction with more tents and campers every year. Breakfast including coffee, orange juice, fruit and pastries will be provided for free. Take advantage of this local and safe camping opportunity right here in Homewood. Cost for members is $5 per tent; for non-members $10 per tent. No need to sign up in advance—we have plenty of room. But you can also just show up that evening any time after 6pm. The event will be cancelled if rainy or grounds are too wet.