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player ready...Standing in line isn’t something Zakariya Sharif, 9, takes kindly to. He’ll skip the loud noises and bright lights too, thank you very much. Most of the time, that leaves such events as carnivals out for him.
But Zakariya was able to enjoy the rides and games last Friday at Friendship Fest in Palos Hills in relative peace and quiet, along with other youths and adults with intellectual or physical challenges.
It was the first time in the festival’s nearly four decade history that an afternoon was set aside just for people with special needs.
The practice is becoming a bit more common in the Southland, with events in Hickory Hills and Orland Park being recent examples.
“I was hoping Palos Hills would do something like it, so we’re really excited,” said Shaista Sharif, Zakariya’s mom, who lives in Palos Hills with her family.
Like others with autism, Zakaria becomes nervous when there’s too much going on around him. On Friday, his mom had a chance to calmly ask him which rides he wanted to try and slowly introduce him to each without the distractions of the sometimes boisterous crowd common the popular event.
“He enjoys pretty much anything that goes around in circles,” said Sharif, right before her son took a spin on a merry-go-round. “He really enjoyed the fact he doesn’t have to wait in line as long, it’s not as loud and not as crowded. Otherwise, we probably wouldn’t be able to come.”
She said the bright lights of the fest in the evening would have upset him too.
But on Friday afternoon, there were plenty of rides and games to choose from, including several with small cars for children to drive, a fishing pond with plastic fish, a mirror maze and roller coasters on the grounds of Moraine Valley Community College.
The Wilson Family Show, which brought and oversaw the rides and games, donated their time so the families could attend for free.
“It helps them out,” said Tashua Kramer, one of the Wilson staff who was manning a ride.
Kristin Violante, the commissioner of Parks and Recreation for Palos Hills who has a background in special recreation, had wanted to start the special needs day last year, but those plans were derailed because of the pandemic.
“They kind of have a special place in my heart,” Violante said of people with special needs.
She said about 60 people with autism, Down syndrome or other disabilities attended, as well as their families and friends. Many said they were grateful for the event.
Mayor Jerry Bennett, who started Friendship Fest soon after becoming mayor, said he was glad it had become more inclusive.
“It’s a group of people we should reach out to as much as we can,” Bennett said. “Something like a fest, you would think that would prohibit them from being part of it. That’s why we decided to set aside an hour or two with nobody else there — just for them.”
The city also recently dedicated Bennett Park (formerly called Pleasure Lake Park) at 108th Street and Robert Road, a nature park, which has a section designed for people with disabilities.
Another youngster who would have had trouble waiting in lines, Jace Ithal, 4, enjoyed the car rides.
“He’s not used to it (all the rides),” said Stephanie Ithal, his mom, who lives in Oak Lawn with her family. “He has so much fun.”
David Domagala, 12, of Burbank, was intrigued by the mirror maze and caught a plastic fish in the fish pond. He received several prizes for his efforts, including a horn and colorful ball.
Monica Domagala, his aunt, said many families with special needs are struggling financially, making free events like this all the more important.
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“He’s having a great time,” said Monica Domagala, his aunt. “I think it’s a beautiful thing for the community.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.