Special Events Information
Most Park District hosted events are FREE; however, some events do require a nominal fee to assist in covering direct costs. This will be indicated only on the events where a fee is mentioned. Some events also require pre-registration. This will be indicated by a register by date. We hope to see you at one of these great and exciting events! Questions, please call (847) 360-4700.
Date: April 18, 2008
Hours of Event: 10 -12:00pm
Location: Kiley Developmental Center – (Preregistration required w/ forms)
The Very Special Arts Festival is a free event for Lake County individuals with disabilities. The Waukegan School District #60 transports its special needs classrooms, residents from the Kiley Developmental Center, and private group homes and workshops also attend. This event is held annually at the Ann M. Kiley Developmental Center, providing exposure to the arts including visual, dance, music, expressive, crafts, and movement.
Date: April 19, 2008
Age: all ages
Hours of Event: 1 – 2 pm
Location: Belvidere Park & BRC
It’s a Bird! It’s a plane! It’s a…Kite! Keep your eyes in the skies for the annual “Flying for kids” kite fly on Saturday, April 19 at Belvidere Park. Bring a favorite kite to the park for a flight with family, friends and neighbors. Kite kits will also be available for children to create their own uniquely designed kite to fly. This event is organized state wide by the Illinois Association of Park Districts and Illinois Park and Recreation Association and hopes to raise awareness of the Park District Youth License Plate, which features a colorful kite, the ultimate symbol of youth and recreation. Twenty five dollars from the sale and subsequent renewals of each plate lands in a special grant fund for youth programming at park and recreation agencies in Illinois.
Date: June 7, 2008
Hours of Event: 7 – 10:30 am
Location: Bevier Park
Fee: $3 pre-registration / $5 on-site registration
The Fishing Derby takes place annually in June on the Saturday during the Illinois DNR Free Fishing Weekend. The pond is stocked with over seven hundred pounds of catfish during the week preceding the event. You may register either before the event or on-site the day of the event. You may fish from 8am-10:30am trying to catch the longest fish in your age category. The top three fish in each age category receive prizes and certificates. In addition, the angler who catches the albino catfish also receives a prize. Participants and onlookers can purchase drinks and snacks from a vendor and participate in drawings by purchasing tickets. The event is concluded with an awards presentation.
Dandelion Wine Fine Arts Festival
Date: June 7, 2008
Hours of Event: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Bowen Park
Estimated Attendance: 500-1000
The book Dandelion Wine was written by one of Waukegan’s favorite sons, Ray Bradbury. This story takes the reader through the ravines and up and down the streets of Green Town (Waukegan) as seen by a young Douglas Spaulding. The City of Waukegan, Art, Etc., and the Cultural Arts Division of the Waukegan Park District honors Mr. Bradbury and Green Town with the Dandelion Wine Fine Arts Festival each year. The festival celebrates art, music, drama, and dance through art demonstrations, an open microphone program, musicians, dance demonstrations, theatre workshops, and storytellers. Artists of all mediums and artists from the Lake County Art League display and sell art work at this event. Infants through seniors are encouraged to attend this event.
American Independence Festivities:
Date: June 29, 2008
Hours of Event:
- Parade: 1 - 4pm
- Festival: 3:30 - 5 pm
Location:
- Parade: Sheridan Road – Northbound starting at Franklin St.
- Festival: Bowen Park
Parade: A theme is given to the parade each year. Almost one hundred parade entries including, special units such as bands and drill teams, participate. We welcome local and out of town organizations and groups to march. The route is 1.2 miles long. Please call (847) 360-4710 for more information. If you are interested in participating in the American Independence Parade, please download the parade application and return by mail no later than Friday, June 6, 2008.
Festival: The Festival is located in beautiful Bowen Park. The festival includes food vendors; family friendly activities such as a petting zoo, pony rides, and a giant obstacle maze; and simple craft projects children can take home. In addition, a skate expo will take place at Bowen Skate Park and features a semi-pro skateboarder. Music fills the air courtesy of local musicians.
Audition Date: June 28 at Jack Benny Center
Audition Time: 1 – 3 pm
Audition Location: Jack Benny Center for the Arts
Finals Date: July 12
Finals Performance Time: 11 am – 1 pm
Finals Performance Location: Scoopin’ Genesee Festivities in downtown Waukegan
Estimated Attendance: 300 - 1000
Date: July 19, 2008
Age: 5-12 yrs
Hours of Event: 9:30 – 12 pm
Location: Belvidere Park
Fee: $10/$12
Reg by: July 2008
The Waukegan Park District will be hosting its 3nd Annual Kids Youth Triathlon in July. Each participant will compete in a 25 yard swim, 1 mile bike ride and .5 mile run. Please note: the events are broken into 3 heats and not continuous. The top three finishers in each age categories 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12 will receive medals. Pre-registration is required for this event. The day of the event check in for participants will be in front of Ganster Pool at 9:30am.
Date: September 2008
Age: 8 – 15 yrs
Hours of Event: 1:30 pm
Location: Victory Park
Reg by: September 2008
Get a shot at competing at Solider Field! Join us at Victory Park and test your football talents. The competition is split into separate divisions for boys and girls. So come ready to display your throwing, kicking and punting talents for this fun event.
Date: September 27, 2008
Hours of Event: 12 – 4 pm
Location: Bowen Park and Oakwood Cemetery
Estimated Attendance: 400
Oakwood Cemetery Walk, an annual free event began in 1995, takes the participants through the city cemetery (1851). Visitors to Oakwood have been taken back to a time and place that has ranged from pre- Civil War to as recent as 1979. Four to six“residents” are portrayed by local “actors” each year. There has always been diversity among the characters portrayed. Finding information about women and minorities has been challenging but rewarding. The cemetery walk has featured the first female physician in Waukegan and George Washington Bell, a former slave turned Union soldier. This annual event is a cooperative program between the Waukegan Park District, City of Waukegan, and the Waukegan Historical Society.
Date: September 2008
Hours of Event: 11 – 2 pm
Location: Field House Sports and Fitness Center at Hinkston Park
The World Wide Day of Play is an annual celebration sponsored by Nickelodeon that promotes active play for kids in which the entire network goes “dark” from 11:00am-2:00pm to encourage kids to “get out and play” in efforts to fight childhood obesity. The Field House Sports and Fitness Center at Hinkston Park is hosting World Wide Day of Play from 11:00am-2:00pm for kids of all ages. Organized games and contests such as dodge ball, volleyball, and basketball will be set up in the gym. There will also be a Jump Rope Contest, Cup Stacking, and Free Throw Competition, along with supervised open Climbing Wall during the entire event! This day of fun is FREE for anyone who wants to participate! Stop by the Field House Sports and Fitness Center Hinkston Park or call (847) 782-3300 for more information.
Date: October 11, 2008
Age: Parent/Child
Hours of Event: 2 – 3:30 pm
Location: Belvidere Recreation Center
Fee: FREE – (Optional ID Card $5)
Reg by: September 2008
Your child is extremely important to you. In this day and age, you need to be informed and take precautions. You will be informed on what to do if your child is lost, whom you would need to call and what you should do. We will offer you the opportunity to have your child fingerprinted, receive an identification card, see a K-9 demonstration, and experience the Fire Department Fire Safety House. This day will be informative and could be one of the bet safety precautions you take!
Date: October 25, 2008
Hours of Event: 3 - 8 pm.
Location: Bowen Park
Halloweenfest is sure to entertain and spook you. This festival includes food vendors, family activities, such as the haunted trail walk, haunted house, enchanted walk, magic shows, storytelling by the bonfire, games and prizes for children, train rides in the park, the adrenaline maze and bounce house. Live music will fill the air courtesy of local musicians. If you come dressed in costume you will have the chance to win prizes in our costume contest. Activities are free to the public.
Date: November 8, 2008
Hours of Event: 10 am - 12 pm.
Location: Belvidere Park
Fee: Donation of two non-perishable forms of food or pay one dollar
This event invites children and adults to run, trot, or gobble their way to winning a turkey. The Trot consists of six different races; which vary in length from 5 yards to one mile, depending on age. Registration begins at 9:30 am with the first race beginning at 10 am. Prior to races beginning a warm up session is lead by the Tony the Turkey. Food donations are forwarded to a local food bank. Only Waukegan residents may race to win a turkey. All participants may take part in the turkey drawing at the end of the event.
Date: December 13, 2008
Age: Parent/Child – ages 3-8
Hours of Event: 3:30 – 5 pm
Location: Jane Addams Center
Fee: $5/$6
Reg by: December 2008
Come and enjoy a wonderful afternoon this Christmas Holiday. We will share Santa’s favorite snack of milk and cookies, as well as have a visit from Old Saint Nick himself! Each child will receive a Christmas coloring book and crayons. Don’t forget your camera! Registration is required, and the fee covers the cost for one parent and one child.