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Despite sweltering heat, the festivities still had a cool touch to them…whether it was choosing to participate in the Water Wars event or feeling a cool breeze from a child carrying a portable fan that also happened to spray water…so that by the end of the bash, the outside temperature didn’t matter any more and everyone instead left with a feeling of internal warmth and camaraderie.
Whether it was the Bean Bag Tournament or one of the songs performed by two different bands that called you onto the dance floor, the steady stream of raffle winners who also crossed the wood-paneled floor became quite entertaining as many of the winners became exuberant with the prizes they won. It was almost like Christmas in July with the number of prizes that were so graciously donated from a variety of places. Golf bags, bean bag sets, gift certificates from a variety of stores and restaurants helped make the raffle ticket sales soar while keeping the odds fairly reasonable.
The children seemed to have an easier time in the heat, not hesitating to play with water balloons or squirt guns while also spending a significant amount of time dancing and playing on the dance floor with inflatable sharks and colorful beach balls, courtesy of the band Southern Course. Many had their faces and arms painted with various images of baseball team allegiances, bunny rabbits and rainbows by artistically-talented volunteers of ASTP, while everyone of all ages enjoyed food and drinks provided by Double Play Saloon in Blue Island, Kenootz Pizzeria, Banquets and Catering in Midlothian, and Hayes Beer Distributing Company of Alsip.
Many of the Oak Fest volunteers came out to hang out with us, and we are grateful for the hands-on assistance of Hank Kuspa, Joe Koce, Ken Keeler, Kevin Helwig, Ed Meroz, as well as everyone with DNR Construction and KC Audio. A special thanks to members of the Color Guard from the Midlothian American Legion who attended the event as well as the police presence throughout the event.
And finally an all-inclusive thank you to those of you who helped us set up and take down what we used during the event…the stacked chairs at the end of the evening, people picking up garbage throughout the day, volunteers selling the raffle tickets…your efforts were both felt and appreciated by all.
From June 29th through July 4th, the 20th Anniversary Oak Fest was kind enough to make room for an ASTP booth and the public response was absolutely overwhelming! Not only did we raise funds for our Relief Fund through t-shirt sales, donations and a raffle, we made many new friends in the process. Some people stopped by to ask questions while others shared stories and memories we will not soon forget, as well as new volunteers signing up to help any way they could.
Thank you to the Oak Fest Commissioners for all of their help and kindness throughout the event as well as all of the volunteers who helped staff the booth throughout the fest!
