Village of Orland Park Reschedules “The Great Pumpkin Party” to Oct. 8

ORLAND PARK, IL – The Village of Orland Park is gearing up for the fall season. Due to rain, "The Great Pumpkin Party" has been changed from Saturday, October 1, to Saturday, October 8. The village's Recreation Department will host “The Great Pumpkin Party” at the Centennial Park Warming House, 15600 West Avenue.

“The village’s Pumpkin Party was very well received and attended last year and we’re looking forward to another great event full of fun fall activities,” said Mayor Dan McLaughlin.

Free and open to all ages, the party will be held from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. and will include a number of activities including hayrides, pony rides, fall crafts, a pie eating contest, scarecrow building, games, roasting marshmallows, a pumpkin patch, and pet parade/costume contest. Attendees are invited to wear Halloween costumes.

“The village’s Pumpkin Party brings back traditions that many of us remember from when we were kids,” said Trustee Pat Gira, chair of the village’s Recreation and Parks Committee. “This is a festive event that’s sure to be enjoyed by everyone,” she added.

Scarecrow making will be held from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Straw, string and bags to assemble the scarecrow will be provided. Participants should bring old clothes for their scarecrow to wear.

Attendees are invited to participate in various fall-themed games, search for prizes in the straw corral, learn a new dance taught by Miss Kristin and play the candy count and pumpkin weight guess games.

Bakers Square is sponsoring the village’s Pie Eating Contest which will be held at 2 p.m. Three different age groups, eight to eleven years, twelve to seventeen and eighteen and older, will compete to see who can eat an entire banana cream pie the fastest. A certificate for a free pie will be awarded to the winners of each category. Participation is limited and registration will be taken at the event.

The Pet Costume Parade will be held at 1:30 p.m., sponsored by Fetch. Participants are encouraged to bring their costumed animals for the parade/contest. Prizes will be awarded after the parade for most spooky, most unique, look-alike and most trendy – “in the moment.”

The Great Pumpkin Patch opens at 1 p.m. A nominal fee will be charged to participate in the Great Pumpkin Patch and families will be limited to two pumpkins each.

Free parking for The Great Pumpkin Party will be available at Centennial Park and at the adjacent Metra Train Station, accessible via 153rd Street.

This Village of Orland Park event is sponsored by the Aileen S. Andrew Foundation, Bakers Square, Brannigan Chiropractic Center, Dave and Busters, Fetch, Chiro One Wellness, Orland Park Band and Trust, Physicians Immediate Care, The Private Bank, and The University of Chicago Medicine.

Further information about the Village of Orland Park’s “Great Pumpkin Party” is available by calling the Recreation Department at 708/403-7275.