With schools about to start, it’s time to punctuate summer with one more big festival. The Village of Homewood is hosting the 11th annual Giant Block Party from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, on Martin Avenue between Ridge and Hickory roads.
2015 Giant Block Party.
(H-F Chronicle file photos)
With schools about to start, it’s time to punctuate summer with one more big festival.
There’s still time to get your dog into the Pooch Parade at Homewood’s 11th annual Giant Block Party on Saturday, Aug. 20.
There will be music, kids activities, the Pooch Parade and lots more from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Martin Avenue between Ridge and Hickory Roads.
The day’s event kicks off with the Pooch Parade at 11 a.m. Check in is at 10 a.m. Advanced registration is required by Monday, Aug. 15. The application is available at the village website.
annual Pooch Parade and
dog contest at the Giant
Block Party.
Registration is also required for the Liar, Liar Contest, the block party’s newest activity, presented at noon. The Homewood Public Library is hosting the competition, giving speakers five minutes to tell the biggest and most convincing tall tale they can, without the use of materials or props.
Space is limited to 10 contestants, 18 years or older. Judges will score the performances to determine who is the community’s best liar. Applications, available at the library, are due Monday, Aug. 15.
The Homewood Science Center’s PopUp Science activity from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will feature University of Chicago behavioral science professor Nicholas Epley, a resident of the Homewood-Flossmoor area.
Epley specializes in the study of social cognition, perspective taking and intuitive human judgment. He will be on hand for an interactive demonstration of his work, providing an intimate peek into how we interact with one another.
Balloon artist Mary Macaroni will be on stage from noon to 3 p.m. entertaining kids with her balloon creations, music and witty banter. Additional kid activities include an ice cream-eating contest, sponsored by Homewood’s Dairy Queen, and a water balloon toss contest.
The music starts at 2 p.m. with Eric Lambert’s feel-good Americana music. Lambert, a 2015 Chicago Music Awards winner, is a renowned flatpicker who mixes his sound with bluegrass, blues, rock and soul.
Final Say, part of the Maggie Speaks band, will perform from 5 to 8 p.m. The band performs an extensive repertoire of songs from the latest Top 40 hits to the pop classics.
Food delights will be offered by Homewood’s The Cottage, Wiley’s Grill, Fratello’s Cafe & Deli and the Homewood Dairy Queen.
“As a dog-owner, this is one of my favorite festivals of the year,” said Mayor Rich Hofeld. “Summer is a wonderful time to spend outdoors with neighbors and reconnect. This Block Party captures the essence of summer all in one day.”
For more information visit www.HomeSweetHomewood.com or call 708-798-3000.
Schedule
- 10 a.m., Check-in for Dog Parade on Martin Avenue.
- 11 a.m., Step-off for Pooch Parade.
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Homewood Science Center PopUp Science.
- Noon, Liar, Liar Contest.
- Noon to 3 p.m., Mary Macaroni’s balloon art.
- 2 p.m., Ice cream-eating contest.
- 3 p.m., Water balloon toss.
- 2 p.m., Eric Lambert performs.
- 5 to 8 p.m., Final Say performs.