Homer Glen Plans 2021 Special Events

HOMER GLEN, IL — Residents can look forward to several community events this year, after the Homer Glen Village Board approved the calendar of special events and recreational programs for 2021 at its meeting on Feb. 24.

The village identified the development of community programs and activities as one of its initiatives in the 2018-2021 strategic plan, board documents state. Village staff broke down the events into four categories: 20th anniversary celebration, special events, recreational programs and Forest Preserve programs, according to board documents.

The estimated cost of the special events is $42,250, board documents state. The village is budgeting to receive $18,550 in sponsorships and fees for the events, so the net cost to the Village would be $23,700.

The cost of the recreational programs will be $6,000, with estimated revenues from registration fees at $5,088, board documents state.

Here are some details of the planned events in Homer Glen for 2021:

20th Anniversary Celebration

This celebration begins at a Village Board meeting on April 14 and runs through HomerFest. Events include:

• April 14- Anniversary kick-off, 7 p.m. at village hall. There will be a special presentation and cake.
• Kid's essay contest, deadline April 1 for kids in grades K-8. Three prizes awarded for essays on why kids love Homer Glen.
• Homer Glen "History in the Making" exhibit at Homer Township Public Library from May 1 to July 1
• Kite Fest and Anniversary Picnic, 11 to 5 p.m., May 2 at Heritage Park
• Cupcake Celebration, 3 to 7 p.m., June 12 at Heritage Park
• HomerFest, "Homer Glen Takes Flight," June 24-27 at Heritage Park

Special Events

Special events like the Santa Parade and Homer for the Holidays will return. Trunk or Treat is planned for the fall, as well as the Chalk It Up event in the summer.

According to board documents, some new special events this year are also planned. Tulips in the Park will be held April 24; and residents, students, and businesses can paint wooden cut flowers and tulips, similar to the snowmen and scarecrow decorations seen last year.

Hop into Spring Hunt is planned for March 26-April 2. The scavenger hunt will take place in village parks, and the first 100 to complete the hunt will receive a small prize.

The Village has also planned its first Market in the Glen, which will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on the first and third Thursday starting May 20 and ending Sept. 16. The market will include produce, food items and crafts in the parking lot at Heritage Park.

Lastly, Food Truck Saturdays are planned for the second Saturday of each month (June, July, August and September) at Heritage Park.

Recreational Programs

Many details were not yet finalized for the programs, but some proposed programs include: Walking meet-ups at Heritage Park, Yoga in the Park events, pickleball clinics, Art in the Park, a disc golf clinic and tennis lessons.

Forest Preserve Programs

• April 24, Wildflower Walk, 10 a.m. to noon at Messenger Woods Nature Preserve
• May 2, Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring, Heritage Park
• May 15, Family Bike Ride, 10 a.m. to noon at Hadley Valley
• June 22, LEGO Gone Wild: Pollinators, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Messenger Woods Nature Preserve. Children 5 and older
• July 20, Creeker Seekers, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Messenger Woods Nature Preserve. Children 5 and older
• Aug. 17, Nature Explorers, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Messenger Woods Nature Preserve. Children 5 and older
• July, TBD, Planting Natives, Heritage Park garden
• August, TBD, Gardening for Monarchs, Village Hall