Oak Park Avenue could host a block party-type event once again this summer if plans from the Hemingway District Business Association come to fruition.
Jim August, owner of The Irish Shop and Hemingway District Business Association president, said the business district is seeking the village’s approval for an event that would close Oak Park Avenue in mid-July.
“This year, we decided to expand [the sidewalk sale] and turn it into a block party,” August said.
Megan Greer, restaurant manager of Eyrie and Hemingway District Business Association secretary, said an 8K race also has been proposed for the weekend.
“We’re still in planning stages,” she said.
August hopes to see the block party include music from School of Rock Oak Park and possibly other musical acts, as well as food and alcohol sales.
Greer credited August with having the vision for the event, which they hope will become a signature event for the business district.
“We wanted something around the Hemingway birthday weekend,” Greer said, referring to the July 21 birthday of the district’s namesake, Ernest Hemingway.
Unlike Midnight and May Madness, former events that brought thousands of people to the Oak Park Avenue area, Greer said the proposed block party will have more of an adult focus.
There may still be some kids’ activities, she said, but not the same number of carnival rides May Madness offered.
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May Madness in 2002 was marred by the arrests of four teenagers amid a large fracas; business owners cancelled the event in 2004, saying the event was more trouble than it was worth.
“It just kind of got a little bit out of hand with all the kids running around,” Greer said of the past event.
August said the opening of Hamburger Mary’s Oak Park could be around the same time as the block party. Brandon Wright, one of the owners of both of the Oak Park and Chicago locations, said they don’t have a set date, but they’re hoping to open this summer and construction has begun in the space at 155 S. Oak Park Ave.
Wright said they recently received information on the block party plans, although Hamburger Mary’s is not involved with the organization of it.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.