Events Planned For Residents With Special Needs At Buffalo Grove Days

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Buffalo Grove Days begins Thursday, and with it, the return of Buddy Baseball and Fun and Food. The two events are specifically designed for residents with special needs during the end-of-summer celebration.

"These are longstanding events that have been a part of the Buffalo Grove Days tradition," Molly Gillespie, director of communications and community engagement, told Patch. "The community always comes out for them and we’re excited to continue the tradition."

The annual BG Days festival runs through Labor Day on Monday and will feature food, live entertainment, children's activities, a barbecue challenge, a car show, a business and nonprofit expo and much more. The fun is being held at Mike Rylko Community Park, 1000 N. Buffalo Grove Road.

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The Rick Kahen Commission for Residents with Disabilities is hosting the two special events, including Buddy Baseball from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and Fun and Food from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday.

“The [Buffalo Grove Days] Committee is thrilled to bring back these classic events that our special needs community looks forward to each year,” said Evan Michel, assistant to the village manager and liaison to the RKCRD. “The entire BG community is encouraged to come out Saturday evening, watch the game and cheer on players.”

Buddy Baseball

The Buddy Baseball program utilizes the “buddy system,” which pairs children and young adults with special needs with "buddies" to play the game of baseball.

The Buddy Baseball Exhibition Game, sponsored by Lou Malnati's, Walgreens (Lake Cook and Buffalo Grove Road) and Brian Wismer Entertainment (FunWizz.com), features 30-40 players and buddies, according to a news release.

If the game is rained out, it will be rescheduled to the following day, 5 p.m. Sunday. Those interested in participating as a buddy or player should contact Dean Klassman at 847-687-5307 or dean@pif-fin.com.

Fun & Food

Fun & Food is a special program for those with special needs and their immediate families (living in the same household) to enjoy the fun of the Buffalo Grove Days festival. The event, sponsored by Keynote Consulting, Inc, Kona Ice, North American Midway Entertainment, McDonalds (Route 83 and Arlington Heights Road) and Walgreens (Lake Cook & Buffalo Grove Road) takes place in the carnival area. Participants can enjoy carnival rides for free from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, according to the news release.

Complimentary to-go food bags, prepared by the RKCRD, will be passed out at the event for participants. Registration is required by Friday at bgdays.com.

Carnival food will also be available for purchase, if desired. There will be no live entertainment at the event this year.

Rick Kahen Commission for Residents with Disabilities

The purpose of the Commission for Residents with Disabilities is to assess the needs and concerns of citizens with disabilities and to cooperate with the Village and all other governmental entities in the promotion of quality-of-life issues for persons with disabilities.

The RKCRD meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month at Buffalo Grove Village Hall, located at 50 Raupp Blvd.