Visitors to this year’s Taste of Orland Park, from July 31 through Aug. 2, will have access to more food options, including local restaurant offerings, compared to last year.
Mayor Jim Dodge said the village is also working to increase seating options in a shaded area behind the main stage for the 30,000 people expected to attend the annual three-day food and music festival.
“And then we’re also going to kind of change the road access behind the stage, make it safer for patrons as they’re walking around,” Dodge said. “We’re trying to balance the needs of the vendors and people wanting to walk around.”
After seeing 15 restaurants participate in 2025, Dodge said he’s proud to have overseen an increase this year to 22 vendors.
Returning vendors are Barraco’s, Buona Beef, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Crave Cookies, Irish Patriot, Jamba Juice, Joey’s Red Hots, Mo’s Chinese Kitchen, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Papa Joe’s, Pueblito, Taqueria Los Comales, The Original Rainbow Cone and Tradycja Polish Fusion Cuisine.
Food and beverages from Barone’s, Fogo de Chao, Jet’s Pizza, Harold’s Chicken, Panda Express, PM Concessions, TE’AMO Boba Bar and C&K Smokehouse will also be available this year.
“As you can imagine, not every restaurant has the ability to have staff in two places and keep the restaurant open, so it’s actually hard or challenging for the vendors to be at Taste of Orland,” Dodge said. “So we’re thrilled that over all these years, we’ve got so many people that are coming out here.”
The mayor said he’s particularly excited that Jim Cornelison, longtime national anthem singer for the Chicago Blackhawks, will perform this year’s Veterans Tribute, which recognizes local veterans and active-duty service members, during the United States’ 250th birthday year.
Cornelison has performed at events across the country including the Indianapolis 500, Chicago Bears season openers, NHL Winter Classics and Stanley Cup championship celebrations, according to an Orland Park news release announcing the pick.
Among the entertainment this year is main stage performances by Barometer Soup on Friday a band covering Jimmy Buffet; the Carl Sandburg Marching Eagles; Rok Brigade focused on 1980s rock; and Wedding Banned. The evening will close with a drone show.
Saturday entertainment is Petty Kings with Tom Petty songs; Hillbilly Rockstarz performing country; Annika Starander Weaver, a Cher tribune group; and 7th Heaven performing pop rock.
Sunday entertainment is Sounds of Summer playign Beach Boys songs; Elevate Dance Company; Rock the 90s playing 1990s rock; and Billy Nation, a tribune band for Billy Joel. The evening will conclude with fireworks at 9 p.m.
Dodge first presided over the Taste of Orland last year, with the Village Board under his leadership voting to return it to the Village Green after the 2024 festival was held at Centennial Park West. Several board members said at the time they supported continuing to hold the event at the 12-acre park at 15609 Park Station Blvd., which includes a 3,200-square-foot permanent performance stage, or bringing it back there some day.
But Dodge said Friday the Village Green better serves the annual free event due to its proximity to buildings that can serve as cooling centers in the case of hot weather and offer restrooms for attendees.
“More than a few people told me that walking up the hill or getting from the parking lot at Centennial Park West is challenging for people,” Dodge said. “There are some structural issues, some facility issues, with having (the Taste of Orland) at Centennial Park West.”
The village has a $500,000 budget for the festival and spent about $322,000 last year, according to Ray Piattoni, director of recreation and parks. So far, the village has received about $116,000 in sponsorships, Piattoni said, having made $130,000 in revenues from last year’s event.
If you go …
When: From 5 to 11 p.m. on July 31; 3-11 p.m. on Aug. 1; and 3-9 p.m. on Aug. 2.
Where: Village Green, 14700 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park
Available parking: Orland Township at 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. Orland Park Library at 14921 S. Ravinia Ave. John Humphrey Complex at 14825 West Ave. Orland Park Recreation North Lot at 14600 S. Ravinia Ave. Parking garage at 9650 W. 143rd St.
Ravinia Avenue will be closed to through traffic from the 147th roundabout to 149th Street.
More information about the event is available by going to www.orlandpark.org/ and clicking on departments, then click special events under the parks and recreation tab.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
