Summer is winding down and soon the air will be crisp and the leaves will change colors. Fall is filled with family fun activities like hayrides, apple picking, and pumpkin carving. But sometimes you want to change things up and find a new and different event to attend. These four fun things to do in Orland Park are certainly unique, and there’s something for everyone! Keep reading for a few unique activities that could become your next fall tradition.
Harvest Hoedown
Get your cowboy boots and hat on because this event will have you yelling, “Yeehaw!” This 21+ event takes place on September 22nd in Crescent Park and is only $35 for Orland Park residents. Harvest Hoedown is a fun, country-inspired event filled with music, drinks, dancing, food from City BBQ, and even a mechanical bull. Your entry fee gets you access to all the food you can eat, a dessert buffet, two drink tickets, craft beer tastings, live entertainment and fun games like horseshoes and steer lassoing! Visit their Facebook event for more details.
The Great Pumpkin Party
Head out to Centennial Park in Orland Park on September 29th for an afternoon of family fun activities! The Great Pumpkin Party has some traditional activities like hayrides and pony rides, but the event also introduces other cool things to do. Before you leave your house, consider bringing your pup along for the annual costume pet parade! Or try a hand at donut bobbing for a chance to win a cool prize. There’s even a pumpkin seed spitting contest to see how far you can launch your seed. Additionally, you can find some more common activities like arts and crafts, guess the pumpkin’s weight, a barrel train ride (only $1!) and marshmallow roasting.
Turkey Trot
For those looking for fun things to do in Orland Park on the “racier” side, look forward to this Thanksgiving Day event! Originally held in downtown Chicago, many Chicagoland suburbs have created their own Turkey Trot race. This 2.5-mile race journeys through the woods, bike paths, and the streets of Orland Park near Village Hall. Registration is only $21 for residents. All participants receive a festive long-sleeved shirt, and are entered for a chance to win a raffle prize. The top male and female runner also receives a frozen turkey and there are smaller awards for the top three winners of each separate age group.
Tinley Park Oktoberfest
Closely resembling the traditional Oktoberfest in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Tinley Park has brought the festivities closer to home. Grab your German Stein and a pretzel and get ready for 3 days full of polka, authentic food, keg tapping, and carnival rides. Tinley Park Oktoberfest takes place September 21-23 and is perfect for people of all ages and dressing up in traditional German-wear is strongly encouraged as well. The best part is admission is free! Come enjoy live entertainment, music, and crafts for free or purchase food, drinks, and carnival tickets to enhance your Oktoberfest experience. Visit their Facebook page to learn more information.
Photo by timlewisnm under the Attribution-ShareAlike license
