Insiders Guide to the Family Friendly Oak Forest Fleadh

The Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Oak Forest, will host the 10th Annual Oak Forest Fleadh (pronounced “flah”) on Saturday, March 2, 2019. In the past ten years this day of celebration has grown with leaps and bounds. It is a great day to come out with your family and enjoy the community. But before you pull out your Irish themed gear and head out to the festivities, read all about it here.

CNB Oak Forest Fleadh 5K – 8:30 a.m.

The CNB 5K has a new course this year which begins and ends at 155th Street between Cicero Avenue of Kilpatrick Avenue. The course has been certified by the USATF and the race route is through the local neighborhood streets and Cicero Avenue. They have made is easier than ever with check in at the community center (15501 S. Kilpatrick) and parking is right down the street for race participants. They have several viewing stations along Cicero Avenue so your friends and family can cheer you on without a problem. All participants will receive a race t-shirt and goody bag and if you have not signed up, there still is time. Go to the sign up roster page.

I am not a runner, but I have family members that are. I love this 5K because it is close to home, parking is easy and seeing my loved one run in the race is so easy. We set up shop along the race route with our signs and bells and cheer on the runners as the go by. It is a community race so you will see friends and neighbors participating and it is a great start to the day of family fun. It is small enough for novice runners but still large enough to be competitive for the serious runner.

Open Streets – 10 a.m.

After the 5K run/walk, children and adults are welcome to ride, walk or run a car-free Cicero Avenue from 151st Street to 156th Street as part of the Open Streets initiative. The event is free and does not require registration. This is so much fun for the kids to run and play on a car-less and open Cicero Avenue. There is something about running unencumbered down Cicero Avenue that is exhilarating for the young and young at heart. If you are feeling inspired, you can bring bikes, scooters and the like for the kids to ride. Again make sure to dress appropriately.

The Parade - 11 a.m.

The parade is the center of all the fun and you want to get there early to get a good spot. The parade will kick off at 11 a.m. from 157th Street and travel North along Cicero Avenue to 151st Street. They have over 50 groups and businesses participating. I found that getting a spot in front of Beggars Pizza or Oak Forest Bowl is a good place since you can access their bathrooms with not too much fuse. and there is a nice crowd in front of both places and you will most likely run into some neighbors to meet and greet with. Make sure you dress for the weather with gloves and hats for the kiddos since you will be standing there for a while and strollers are a must for the little ones for when they get tired.

After the Parade

There are a few things to do after the parade. Bowling is a great option at Oak Forest Bowl. They have The Pipes & Drums of the Lake County Sheriff's Department playing their bag pipes after the parade in Jake's pub which brings the music up close and personal. They also have bowling specials going on with 2 games and shoes for $12 per person from 9am-1pm. We would make plans with some friends and the kids would bowl a few games while we munched on pizza and snacks.

You could also grab something to eat at Beggars Pizza or Mickey's which are both conveniently located on Cicero and family friendly.

Parking

Free parking will be available all day and night at the Waverly parking lot at 157th & Cicero.

Street Closures

Cicero Avenue, from 151st Street to 159th Street, will be closed 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. The city’s Emergency Management Agency will allow local traffic to get through the adjacent neighborhoods between 147th Street and 151st Street. It will redirect non-local traffic down 147th Street to Pulaski Road.

Law Enforcement

Throughout the event, alcohol will only be permitted inside designated areas such as beer tents, beer gardens, pubs, and restaurants. The city’s public intoxication and open containers ordinances will be strictly enforced.

So grab your beads, your kids and your Irish gear and head out to the festivities. Hope to see you there.