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Autumn In The Park Festival 2023 Free Entry / Free Parking 8901 W. 123rd St. ~ On The Village Green
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 82nd Avenue on 123rd Street in Palos Park and travels westbound to 90th Avenue ending near the festival grounds.
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
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!
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!