FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOMBARD Lombard is a busy, active community with much to offer its residents. Check out some of the fun things to do in Lombard:
CRUISE NIGHTS Summertime fun starts with Cruise Nights on Saturday evenings from Saturday, June 11, through Aug. 27 (with the exception of July 2), in downtown Lombard. Featuring a classic car show along with a free concert series, Lombard Cruise Nights are held near St. Charles Road and Main Street. A wide variety of entertainment is featured including showcase bands, theme nights and family nights. There’s even a Kids’ Corner for children’s activities, sponsored by various community groups. Walk around and see the classic cars, starting at 6 p.m. To find more information on Lombard Cruise Nights, visit www.villageoflombard.org or call (630) 620-5718. LILACIA PARK Lombard owes Lilacia Park and its collection of lilacs to Colonel William Plum and his wife, Helen Maria Williams Plum. The Lombard Park District was founded in 1927 when the people of Lombard voted to accept the stipulations set forth in Colonel Plum’s will, which bequeathed his property to the citizens. Soon thereafter, the new park district commissioned Jens Jensen, the famous landscape architect, to design what is now known as Lilacia Park, located at 150 S. Park Ave. It’s impossible to separate Lombard from its lilacs. Lilac Time, a village-wide festival held each May, is held in Lilacia Park. It celebrates the history of Lombard’s lilacs with a coronation, historical tours, tastings, entertainment and a 5k race. Throughout the year, the Lombard Park District maintains the horticultural showcase which hosts wedding ceremonies, movies in the park, and Holiday Lights in Lilacia. For more information, visit www. lombardparks.com. LILAC BALL The Lilac Ball, held this year on Friday, May 13, is a formal event where residents and businesses come together to enjoy an evening of dining and dancing, along with raffle prizes and a silent auction. The event is held at The Carlisle, 435 E. Butterfield
Rd. in Lombard. All Lombard area adults are invited to attend! LILAC TIME ART AND CRAFT FAIR The Lilac Time Art and Craft Fair helps to kick off Lilac Time in Lombard. It is the first outdoor event of the year, where the Lombard community and more converge in our downtown area. Visitors enjoy handmade arts and crafts, as well as entertainment, food and fun for all. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Lombard on St. Charles Road. LILAC PARADE The 61st Lombard Lilac Parade will be on Sunday, May 15. This year’s theme is “Time Travel,” highlighting the beauty and pride of our wonderful Lilacia Park and village. The parade begins at 1:30 p.m. at Main and Wilson then heads north to Maple and east to Craig Place. The parade is the final event of Lilac Time in Lombard and features the Lilac Queen and Court, Glenbard East and Willowbrook Marching Bands, YMCA Indian Guides & Princesses, Jesse White Tumblers, Shriners, music, horses, dancers, classic cars and much more. PARADISE BAY WATER PARK The Lombard Park District’s Paradise Bay Water Park, located at 437 E. St. Charles Rd., was a winner of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association’s Outstanding Facility and Park Award. This award winning state-of-the-art facility features Hurricane Cove, a zero-depth entry leisure pool with spouts, fountains, water sprays, whirlpool and host to a body slide, bowl slide, speed slide, and water walk. This paradise-themed park also features a 12-foot dive well, 3-meter and 1-meter dive board and a drop slide. Paradise Bay Water Park offers a variety of special events, swim lessons, swim and dive teams and agerelated open swim times. Swim the entire summer with a “Passport to Paradise” pool pass. Visit www.lombardparks. com for hours, rates and programming opportunities.
INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS You don’t have to go too far to find family fun on July 4th with Lombard’s annual fireworks celebration held in Madison Meadows Park, located at Madison and Ahrens streets. The breathtaking fireworks display wows the crowd and brings admirers from all around to see the show. The fun begins at dusk. Bring your blankets! Find more information on the Village of Lombard events at www. villageoflombard.org GERMANFEST A four-day event with a wide range of entertainment options for the entire family, Germanfest is in its 49th consecutive year of sponsorship by Sacred Heart Parish. Located at 114 S. Elizabeth St., the fest offers a wide range of entertainment – live bands ranging from rock to blues/ country to pop. Back by popular demand as the Saturday night headliner is the much-loved 7th Heaven. Germanfest also features a casino on Friday and Saturday nights, and Bingo all four days of the fest. Special kids’ activities include free Kids’ Bingo on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; every child wins a prize. Fun carnival rides, activities for all ages, a tasty menu of German delicacies – bratwurst, pork, streudel, sauerkraut, potato salad – as well as hot dogs and BBQ pork sliders – can all be washed down with a wide variety of frosty beverages. Admission to the fest is free (a small charge for the casino). Festival hours are 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday July 14; 5:30 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 15; 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 16; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 17. ALE FEST The Lombard Ale Fest is Lombard’s premier craft beer festival. The second annual fest will take place on Saturday, June 13. Situated in the heart of downtown Lombard at Lilacia Park, the fest will feature over 80 unique beers from craft breweries around the country and some of Chicagoland’s favorite food trucks. The fest
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