A bounce house can make people of any age feel like kids at heart.
XL Event Lab brings that experience to whole other level with Bounce the City, which begins its tour from May 25 to June 9 outdoors at Orland Square’s lower level JCPenney parking lot in Orland Park.
“It’s colorful, it’s big and it looks like something that came out of a video game,” said Edgar Jimenez, assistant tour manager for Bounce the City.
The three-weekend run marks a Chicagoland return for Bounce the City, which stopped in late summer 2023 at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg and in late spring 2023, when the inflatable festival was known as Bounce the Mall, at Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora.
“We always have a good turnout in Chicago. We’re definitely excited to be back,” said Jimenez, who is from Los Angeles but lives in Dallas.
Bounce the City offers two kinds of 90-minute passes: All Ages Session for siblings and friends to bounce with their parents/carers and Junior Session for ages 7 or younger and their parents/carers. Only ages 3 and younger must be accompanied by a paying parent/carer.
All Ages Sessions are available for 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. or 4 p.m. May 25 or 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. May 26 while Junior Sessions are available for 10 a.m. May 25, June 1 or June 8 or 11 a.m. May 26, June 2 or June 9. Patrons are strongly encouraged to buy tickets in advance. Other ticket slots may be sold as availability permits.
“If we’re able to provide a fun environment for toddlers all the way to grandparents, that’s honestly the best we can hope for. Everybody has an equal amount of fun,” said Jimenez, who has worked for XL Event Lab for nearly three years.
With a tagline of “the ultimate bounce party,” Bounce the City features four immersive attractions including The Giant, which is billed as a neon obstacle course that is more than 600 feet long and tests speed and agility.
“As a child you take it on with no fear. As an adult it’s a little bit more of a challenge. It’s also fun to throw yourself off walls,” Jimenez said.
Bounce the City also includes City Xscape, which is described as a colorful bounce house attraction that transports city dwellers to an intergalactic metropolis with skyscrapers reaching for the clouds and friendly aliens zipping around corners.
“We also have our Silent Disco Dome where people will be able to grab headphones. They can switch channels on headphones. Everyone’s pretty much bouncing to their own favorite song or favorite playlist but with them being inside the same environment,” Jimenez said.
Another attraction is Skyscraper Slide. “This one is relatively big. It takes us back to being able to let that inner child out,” Jimenez said.
The candy-colored Bounce the City, which is free to spectators, also includes Bounce Café featuring food trucks and a patio with seating.
“It creates an overall welcoming experience for everyone,” Jimenez said.
“It’s really cool to spend the time with your family, create those new experiences and just have a blast.”
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Bounce the City
When: May 25-26; June 1-2; June 8-9
Where: Orland Square’s lower level JCPenney parking lot, 288 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park
Tickets: $24
Information: 708-349-1646; bouncethecity.com
