Friday, September 15, 2023 / 6:00 - 11:00pm

Saturday, September 16, 2023 / Parade kicks off at 11:00 am 

Festival 11:30 am to 11:00 pm

Be sure to check back periodically for updates on our 2023 Autumn in the Park Festival! 

Schedule

Friday, September 15, 2023

• 6:00 pm - Grounds Open
• 6:00 to 10:30 pm - Food Vendors, Beer, Wine and Spirits
• 7:30 to 10:30 pm - Musical Entertainment -Hairbangers Ball - Main Stage
• 11:00 pm - Grounds Close 

Saturday, September 16, 2023

• 11:00 am - Parade Begins 
• 11:30 am - Grounds Open
• Noon to 5:00 pm - Kids area
• TBA pm - House of Music performances - Main Stage
• Noon to 10:00 - College Football - On the big screen - Gazebo Sports Cave
• Noon to 10:30 pm  - Food Vendors, Beer, Wine and Spirits
• Noon to 3:30 pm  -  Petting Farm - hosted by The Center of Palos Park
• Noon to 5:00 pm - Face Painting, Balloons, Bouncy Houses
• Noon to 5:00 pm  - Kids Crafts (McCord Gallery, Palos Park Library, Palos Fine Arts)
• Noon to 7:00 pm  -  Artisan Vendors
• 2:30 pm - BBQ tasting coins go on sale - 4 for $8 while supplies last
• 3:00 to 6:00 pm - Musical Entertainment - Five Guys Named Moe - Main Stage
• 4:30 pm - BBQ Rib - Public Tasting
• 7:30 to 10:30 pm - Musical Entertainment -  Mike and Joe  - Main Stage
• 11:00 pm - Grounds Close

Saturday Parade Information

Beginning at 11 am, the parade kicks off with bands, floats, civic groups, fire and police vehicles, horses, dogs, walkers, riders and community for this wonderful tradition. The parade kicks off at 82^nd Avenue on 123^rd Street in Palos Park and travels westbound to 90^th Avenue ending near the festival grounds. 

• 2023 Parade application can be found here

Free Shuttle Bus and Parking

Free Festival parking can be located at:

• Palos Park Presbyterian Church - 12312 S. 88th Avenue 
• The Village Courtyard - 8301 W 123rd Street 
• Metra Parking lot - 12100-12114 South 82nd Avenue

Trolly/Shuttle Bus Service - Pick up/Drop Off Locations: 

• Palos Park Metra Lot
• Front of Recreation Center
• Village Courtyard 

Shuttle Hours: 

• Friday 6:30 - 11:00 pm
• Saturday Noon - 11:00 pm

Amateur BBQ Competition - Chicken and Ribs

On Saturday, September 17th you have the opportunity to put you BBQ skills to the test in this Amateur BBQ Rib and Chicken Cook-off Competition. Contestant will prepare and cook 10 Rib Slabs (provided) and chicken (cooks bring their own) on-site. Grilling beings at 9:00 am, turn-in for judging at 3:30 pm for chicken and 4:30 pm for ribs. At 4:31 pm the grilling area is open for public tasting - where you can also win the People’s Choice Award. 

BBQ Schedule
7:30 - 9:00 am - BBQ contestant set up, and inspection of contestant's chicken
9:30 am - Cooks meeting - Rib meat distributed promptly following cooks meeting.
3:30 pm - Chicken turn in for judging
4:30 pm - Rib turn in for judging
4:31 pm - Public tasting begins
6:30 pm   - BBQ  Awards announced in main tent

Interested in Becoming a Contestant? 

• Application, rules, procedures and waiver forms can be viewed in the "Contestant Application" found below 
• Completed application & fee must be received no later than September 8, 2023

Entrance Fee includes both chicken and ribs.

Now thru Friday, August 25, 2023 - $100.00

Late entry begins Monday, August 28th thru Friday, September 8th - $115.00

• 2023 Amateur Bar-B-Que Cook-off Application Packet
• 2023 BBQ Judging Application

Kids Area and Activities

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Noon to 3:30 pm  - Petting Farm - hosted by The Center of Palos Park

Noon to 5:00 pm  - Bounce Houses, Airbrush tattoos, Balloon Animals, Playground & Tot Town

Noon to 5:00 pm  - Children's Crafts (McCord Gallery, Palos Park Library and Palos Fine Arts)

Live Music

Friday, September 15, 2023

• Hairbangers Ball on the Main Stage

Saturday, September 16,2023

• 3:00 to 6:00 pm - Five Guys Named Moe on the Main Stage
• 7:30 to 10:30 pm -  Mike and Joe  on the Main Stage

Food Vendors

• Contact Kathie May 

Artisans Now Being Accepted!

• Contact the Recreation and Parks Department

THANK YOU 2023 Autumn in the Park SPONSORS!

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors 

Bronze Sponsors

Baxter & Woodman

Core and Main 

Flow Technics Inc.

G Cooper Oil Company

inKind

Nicor Gas

The Weglarz Family 

Autumn in the Park Sponsorship Opportunities

We are asking for your support of this superb community event. Past sponsors received a variety of publicity using their name and/or logo viewed by thousands who visit the Village website, connect with social media, and local newspapers. Find out what different Autumn In the Park sponsor opportunities exist!

Sponsorship Application Form