Community Corner

It's Back! Tinley's Caribbean Block Party Returns July 20 to Downtown

This year's event includes the debut of a zipline, along with performances from Jimmy Buffet cover band South of Disorder, in addition to others.

The Village of Tinley Park will host its 16th annual Caribbean Block Party from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 20 along Oak Park Avenue from 171st to Hickory streets in Downtown Tinley. The event will feature free games, rides and entertainment.

“The Caribbean Block Party is one of Tinley Park’s premier summer events, and I encourage everyone to come out and join in the fun,” Tinley Park Mayor Ed Zabrocki said.

Activities will include inflatable rides, DJ entertainment, hair braiding, photo opportunities, a bubble performer, a performance by Mr. D’s House of Magic at 12:30 p.m. and a Kidz Zone complete with crafts, a giant sandbox and the return of the Bus of Fun.

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Food and beverages will be sold by Ed & Joe’s, J.W. Hollsteins, El Coco Mio, Durbins, V.F.W. Post 2971, Parmesans Station, Short and Sweet Tasty Treats, Culvers, Village Pizza, Kernel Sweetooth and Teehan’s Tavern.

A new addition to this year’s Block Party is the Zipline, which stands 30 feet in the air and takes travelers on a 150-foot trip from the sky back to the ground for a controlled landing. The cost is $8, and riders must be age 8 or older and weigh between 60 and 250 pounds.

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North stage entertainment will include South of Disorder, a Jimmy Buffet cover band, from noon to 3 p.m.; and Green Thirteen, which plays Top 40 hits, from 4 to 7 p.m. South Stage entertainment will include Midnight, which plays music from the 1950s to today, from noon to 3 p.m.; and Mr. Myers, a Caribbean rock band, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Professional sand sculptor Brian Turnbough will return to create a Caribbean-themed work of art during the event. In 2013, Turnbough and his partner took first place in the World Championships of Sand Sculpture in Atlantic City, N.J. with a piece titled, “The Charge of Achilles.”

“Last year, Brian’s beautiful sand sculpture was the talk of the town,” Zabrocki said. “We look forward to seeing what he has for us this year.”

Block Party attendees also can stop by the Tinley Park Historical Society for tours, ice cream, crafts and games, as well as peruse the many vehicles displayed during the Classic Car Show in the Oak Park Avenue Metra train station parking lot.

The event also will feature a bean bag tournament. Registration will begin at 1 p.m., and the tournament will start at 2 p.m.

The Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce also will be holding a food drive to benefit Together We Cope and the Tinley Park Food Pantry. Attendees who would like to donate can drop off nonperishable food items to the front of the chamber office, 17316 S. Oak Park Ave.

Free parking is available. Attendees also can take a free trolley ride starting at 11:30 a.m. from the parking lot of the 80th Avenue Metra train station, 18001 S. 80th Ave. Pick-up and drop-off will be every 15 minutes through 7:30 p.m.

“Summer only lasts for a short time, so come out to Downtown Tinley and enjoy it while you can!” Zabrocki said.

 

For more information, call (708) 444-5678 or visit www.downtowntinley.com.


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