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Mount Greenwood Fest Aims To Build Upon Its Growing Success

By Howard Ludwig | July 25, 2016 8:13am | Updated on August 25, 2016 3:04pm
 A live-animal show will again be part of Mount Greenwood Fest. Here, a group of children get close with a giant tortoise in 2015.
A live-animal show will again be part of Mount Greenwood Fest. Here, a group of children get close with a giant tortoise in 2015.
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MOUNT GREENWOOD — Mount Greenwood Fest returns to celebrate neighborhood pride from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday on the campus of the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences.

The free event at 3857 W. 111th St. is again organized by the Mount Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, said Darlene Myers, the executive director of the local business group.

In fact, the Far Southwest Side neighborhood has been finding reasons to celebrate for more than eight years with similar festivals that included A Taste of Mount Greenwood and Party in the Park, Myers said.

These gatherings evolved into Mount Greenwood Fest three years ago, and crowds have steadily embraced the festival atmosphere that includes live music from Whiskey & Harmony, kids activities, a car show, 50 craft booths, food vendors and more, she said.

Here's some of the highlights that attendees can enjoy this year:

• Erin Yanz, the proprieter of Erin's Farm in Monee, will bring an array of birds, reptiles and other creatures to the festival. Yanz, a Beverly native, uses such parties to sensitize people to animals and nature.

• The front parking lot of the Ag School will be filled with 75 to 100 vehicles participating in a car show. Entries include muscle and show cars from all eras, and the top entries are recognized each year.

• The Palos R/C Flying Club will be at the neighborhood festival along with their remote-control aircraft. The group performs demonstrations and is known for dropping candy on the crowd.

• Some 15 different food vendors from throughout the area will feed hungry festival attendees. No two food vendors are alike and popular places to grab a bite include Jimmy Jamm Sweet Potato Pies Inc. of Beverly, Demon Dawgs in suburban Alsip and Rib Brothers LLC also in nearby Alsip.

The Lion's Club will offer vision tests, including special tests for children from six months to six years old using a newly purchased camera.

• Bounce houses will also be available to children at the festival courtesy of The PrivateBank, which operates a branch at 3052 W. 111th St. in Mount Greenwood. A photo booth will be on hand too, courtesy of U.S. Bank, which has a Mount Greenwood branch at 11159 S. Kedzie Ave.

Steve Coyne of Mount Greenwood will play the bagpipes between the band's performances. Coyne plays as part of the Chicagoland Irish Bagpipers and the South Side Irish cover band, Red Rebel County. He's played the bagpipes for 14 years.

• The Ag School students will have a petting zoo at the festival, Myers said, adding that the school's farm stand will also be open for attendees to purchase various seasonal items.

• Local firefighters will provide a demonstration on the "jaws of life." This tool allows first responders to cut through automobiles in order to rescue those trapped inside. The Chicago Police Department is also expected to have its a K-9 unit on display along with several equestrian officers.

• A face-painting station will be available throughout the day.

For more information about Mount Greenwood Fest, visit the chamber's website or call 773-238-6103.

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