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Ticket to Oak Fest: Oak Forest to Honor Vets with 'Salute to Hometown Heroes'

Veterans young and old can enjoy a ceremony to honor their sacrifices, followed by a top-notch fireworks display.

The Main Event: Salute to Hometown Heroes
Where:
The Main Tent
When:
Doors open at 6 p.m., ceremony starts at 9 p.m., followed by a fireworks show
Discount:
$5-off coupons for $25 carnival ride wristbands can be found here

Around the 4th of July, it's that time of summer for good food, fireworks and all things American. But what would the holiday weekend be without something for our veterans?

To honor those that have served from across the Chicago area, the city of Oak Forest will hold a Salute to Hometown Heroes ceremony tonight at 9 p.m., during the .

Find out what's happening in Oak Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Our veterans ceremony is always fantastic,” said Oak Fest chairmen Joseph Koce. “They'll be in full dress—older veterans, too. The support for this ceremony has been great.”

Oak Forest Mayor Hank Kuspa will speak briefly to open the ceremony, and the Oak Forest High School band will provide music, followed by a 20-minute fireworks show at the close of the ceremony.

Find out what's happening in Oak Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Fest Cover Bands

Dying to hear a good band tonight? Oak Fest has two tonight: hard-rock cover band Club 44 and cover band Maggie Speaks, who'll play hit songs from the '60s, '70s and on. Club 44 is set to take the stage from 6–9 p.m., while Maggie Speaks will play from 9:30 p.m., until midnight.

Check out the Carnival

When's the last time you tossed a ping-pong ball into a goldfish bowl, or rode the carousel? If it's been a while, you can enjoy them until your heart's content tonight, from 6 p.m. to midnight. For $25, you can purchase the wristband special, which allows access to every ride from open to close. And for tonight only, you can find a $5-off coupon for wristbands on the fest's website.

Bingo!

Throughout the entire night, you can try your luck at the bingo stand. Bingo cards are only 50 cents a piece or three for $1. There's no limit to the number of cards you can play at one time, but you must be 18 with a valid drivers license or state ID to play.

Oak Fest, which will be held at 159th Street and Central Avenue, runs from Thursday, June 30 to Monday, July 4. Mega passes are on sale at city hall, for $50 until June 30. At the gate, the mega pass price increases to $75 for carnival rides. The passes are good for all six days, and are available at city hall. Tickets for individual days are $25. Bring a buddy on Friday, and your second ticket is free. Saturday, from 11 a.m. to noon is for children with special needs only.

Check back with Oak Forest Patch, where we'll feature the events you can't miss (though the whole fest sounds amazing) each morning of Oak Fest.

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