Warm temperatures Tuesday may have kept the crowd size down some at the annual Taste of Oak Brook, but it certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of those in attendance.
“We just came a little bit later than we usually do, because of the heat,” said Brian Hoffman of Villa Park, who arrived about 6:30 p.m., instead of the 4 p.m. start time, with his wife, Rachel, and three children, ages 8, 10 and 13.
“We always have a good time here. We’ve been coming for at least six or seven years now,” he said. “There are fun things for the kids to do, and there’s plenty of good food to choose from. And they always have a really good fireworks show, which is a great way to end the day.”
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Taste of Oak Brook was held on the Oak Brook polo field, which is on the north side of Oak Brook Road (31st Street), between Spring and York roads.
Jeff Buscemi of Brookfield also has been a regular for the past several years. He came with his wife, Julie, and three daughters, Emma, 10, Hannah, 7, and Olivia, 4.
“We really enjoy it because there are fun activities for the kids, great fireworks and the food’s really good,” Buscemi said.
Emma didn’t hesitate to add her feelings after she had finished having her arm painted.
“I love it,” she said. “There are so many activities, and it’s fun to get together with family and have a good time.”
Emma was pleased with her arm painting, but was looking forward to her favorite part of Taste of Oak Brook.
“There’s lots of fun stuff to do, but the fireworks are my favorite part,” she said.
Those who attended were able to purchase tickets that could be used to buy food from any of the 10 restaurants on site. A variety of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, also were available.
Some children’s activities required purchase of tickets, but many were free, including some offered by the Oak Brook Park District.
Activities, geared mainly for children, included a balloon artist, face painting, a bounce house, petting zoo and pony rides.
Live entertainment was presented Martini Lunch, 97nine, Nashville Company and DJ-X.
The tradition of people grabbing spots hours before the fireworks show, along York Road and 22nd Street, continued.
“We’ve been coming out by 2 or 3 in the afternoon and getting a good spot on York Road for several years,” said Rhonda Gentile of Downers Grove. “We usually have a group of about 15 of us from a few families, and we have ourselves a nice little picnic while we wait for the fireworks to start.
“It’s a little tougher on a hot day like this, but we make sure to drink plenty of water.”
