The Memorial Day weekend is the start of summer everywhere, and no town celebrates the season like La Grange.
Kicking off the summer festivities is the 2024 edition of the La Grange Carnival, running from Friday, May 31 through Sunday, June 2.
“The La Grange Carnival is a beloved event for our community,” Cathy Domanico, executive director of the La Grange Business Association (LGBA), said. “It’s a great family outing and an event that is part of the fabric of our community.”
The carnival has been a summer tradition in La Grange for more than three decades and runs the same weekend as the La Grange Pet Parade.
The usual lineup of activities are scheduled, including a Ferris wheel, rides with light displays, bumper cars, games of chance, children’s games, and concessions.
The Carnival is also in its usual space on Harris Avenue, west of La Grange Road and west to Ashland Avenue.
“The La Grange Carnival is the perfect event to kick off the summer and reflects the LGBA’s commitment to bringing joy to our neighbors,” Stephanie Posey, LGBA Board President, said. “It always reminds me of the last scene in “Grease” with all the color, sound, and smiles all around! It is truly a wonderful the heartbeat of our local economy and soul of our community.”
Indeed, the event is a major fundraiser for the producing/organizing LGBA.
Other major sponsors are Express Med Spa, Mathnasium, a math study firm, and Chills Italian Ice. Food vendors for the Carnival will be Chills, Crumbl Cookies, Billie Bricks, and Mi TaQuito Taqueria.
The hours for the Carnival are 5 p,m. to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Unlimited ride specials will be available Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., $30 per person, Friday and Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m., $35 per person, and Sunday, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., $35 per person.
The La Grange Pet Parade will start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 2, winding through downtown on a 1.5-mile route.
The La Grange tradition first marched through the downtown area in 1947, when the Chamber of Commerce’s president, Ed Breen, of Breen’s Cleaners, wanted to bring the community together around the concept of pet and child costumes parading around the main business section.
The event soon became an annual tradition and one of the most talked-about parades in the Chicago area, drawing interest from Chicago media, particularly WGN-TV. This century, the parade has been broadcast by the Lyons Township High School television station, LTTV.
For updates on the 2024 La Grange Carnival, visit lgba.com
For more information on the La Grange Pet Parade, visit its website, langrangepetparade.org
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.