Taste of Orland Park events, Aug 6-8, 2010

TASTE OF ORLAND PARK 2010 – August 6, 7 and 8, 2010

The Village of Orland Park will host its seventh annual Taste of Orland Park, August 6, 7 and 8, showcasing seventeen Orland Park eateries, 20+ community organizations and continuous live entertainment on two stages. The Taste is held at the Orland Park Village Center, 14700 South Ravinia Avenue, one block west of LaGrange Road/US Route 45.

The adjacent John Humphrey Sports Complex will house Kids’ Day on Saturday, August 7 and a Classic Car Show on Sunday, August 8. Past Tastes have brought 60,000+ attendees to the Orland Park Village Center throughout the fest weekend. Admission and parking are free.

Orland Park Village Center - 14700 South Ravinia Avenue
(one block west of LaGrange Road/US Route 45)

FRIDAY • AUGUST 6 • 5 PM TO 11 PM
5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Our Gang (Motown, R & B) (Main Stage)
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Village Dance Program (Community Stage)
6:00 p.m. Guns & Hoses Softball Game (Humphrey Complex)
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Country Line Dancing Instruction (Civic Center)
7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Village of Orland Park Doonaree Pipe Band (Main Stage Dance Floor)
8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Live Band Karaoke (Community Stage)
8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Yard Fulla Cars (Country/Western) (Main Stage)

SATURDAY • AUGUST 7 • 1 PM TO 11 PM
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Kids’ Day (Humphrey Complex)
Face Painting • Family Egg Drop Competition (3:30 p.m.)
Family Water Balloon Toss (2:30 p.m.)
Joon Lee’s Taekwondo • Moon Jump Slide, Obstacle Course & Jumpy Northwestern Athletics • Orland Fire Protection District
OP Knights Football & Cheerleading • OPPD Kid Care DNA
Orland Park Soccer Club • Spin & Sand Art • Team USA Martial Arts
Touch A Truck • Victory Martial Arts
Village of Orland Park Karpov International Chess Institute
1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Kiwanis Club Raffle (Civic Center)
1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Rhythm Rockets (Jump, Rhythm, Swing, Blues) (Main Stage)
3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Creative Dance Center (Community Stage)
3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Victory Martial Arts (Main Stage Dance Floor)
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. US99.5 and Chevy Riders Radio Appearance (Taste Grounds)
4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Music Connection (Community Stage)
4:05 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. Joon Lee’s Taekwondo (Main Stage Dance Floor)
4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. OD TAPO IMI (Main Stage)
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Magical Balloon Dude Dale (Taste Grounds)
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Jason Kollum’s Balloon Twisting (Taste Grounds)
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Teen Battle of the Bands (Community Stage)
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Kidz Clog and Cloggin’ Craze (MS Dance Floor)
8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Village Dance Co. & Junior Dance Co. (MS Dance Floor)
8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. American English (Main Stage)

SUNDAY • AUGUST 8 • 1:00 P.M. TO 9:00 P.M.
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Car Show (Humphrey Sports Complex)
1:00 p.m. Orland Park Chamber of Commerce Bean Bag Finals (Taste Grounds)
1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Lions Club Raffle (Civic Center)
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Guitarra Azul (Main Stage)
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Karaoke Finals (Community Stage)
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mary Z’s Magic/Juggling (Taste Grounds)
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Village/UGA Gymnastics (MS Dance Floor)
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Midwest Dueling Pianos (Main Stage)
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Face Painting (Taste Grounds)
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mary Z’s Balloon Twisting (Taste Grounds)
6:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Carl Sandburg Cheerleaders (MS Dance Floor)
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Hi Infidelity (Main Stage)

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Taste of Orland is one of the region's BEST EVENTS

The one thing I can't argue about is that Taste of Orland Park is one of the best events in the Southwest Suburbs, far better than even Taste of Chicago.

You get better food at Taste of Orland Park. It's not gigantic but it is roomy and they have booths that run up and down the parking lot south of the Orland Park Civic Center. They're very affordable.

The entertainment of okay. But remember, this isn't Chicago. It's budget-strapped Orland Park where Chicago's 19th Ward really goes by the name "Ward #1."

Here's a list of the restaurants that will be at Taste of Orland Park, beginning this Friday August 1 through August 3 -- with my reviews of each and every one of them, of course:

Buca Di Beppo -- You get more bang for the buck here than anywhere else. This is one of my local favorites. You get too much food here, but who's complaining. The Veal Limon is my favorite, hen I go there.

Café Gaston -- Very classy. Perfect for breakfast. It has this stylish outdoor cafe. It's one of those places where you might imagine writers, socialites, creative types and other community leaders pausing to enjoy a great meal.

Cold Stone Creamery -- Never been there.

Cooper’s Hawk -- Never been there.

Ichiro Japanese -- Love this place, too. The Sushi is a bit pricey. Still, it's the best Sushi around, short of driving all the way downtown or near north in Chicago.

Mo’s Chinese Kitchen -- Beef Fried Rice is tops here. Very affordable and the perfect place to get Chinese food.

Oberweis Dairy -- Okay, the owner is a goof. A little too conservative for me, but you don't have to vote for him to love his ice cream. It's great.

Orland Meat Market & Deli -- Never been there.

Palermo’s of Orland Park -- I had an okay experience here, but I prefer the Oak Lawn Palermo's when it's open. Weird hours. They have this great stuffed artichoke -- sometimes. And the Veals, pastas and salads are great.

Papa Joe’s of Orland Park -- Went there once and didn't suit my tastes.

Plaza Café -- The absolute very best Steak Skillet in Orland Park and I have TRIED THEM ALL! The pancake house down the stret doesn't even come close to this place. Too bad the village is shoving them out of the plaza at 143rd and LaGrange Road.

R.C. Mulligan’s -- Not bad. Great place to have a Genuine Draft.

Rock Bottom Brewery -- Never been there.

Sam Maguire’s -- Okay.

Taj Mahal -- Didn't like the buffet at all. And I love Indian cuisine. I prefer downtown or on Devon Avenue in Chicago.

94 West -- Sunday Brunch here doesn't come any better. It is the best int he Southwest Suburbs. Very classy. Thsi si the place you want to be for those special occasions like an anniversary, Valentine's Day, or just plain dinner! Love it! The owner will have those little steak sandwiches again this year. Can't wait.

Here's the link to the Village of Orland Park's promotional flyer on the event. Enjoy it?

Ray Hanania
www.OrlandParker.com