Approximately 1,500 people attended Saturday’s 14th-annual Green Oaks, Libertyville, Mundelein, Vernon Hills (GLMV) Extreme Block Party Family Expo and Taste of the Towns at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Mundelein.
The five-hour expo and party showcased more than 50 Lake County businesses and charitable organizations.
Generous sausage or pepperoni pizza slices were abundant, including many treats such as candy and free shaved ice courtesy of a food truck parked in front of the hotel’s main entrance.
One could select flavors for the shaved ice, with choices including blue cotton candy, grape, cherry and raspberry. Inside, giveaways were numerous, such as lip balm, summer hand fans, stress hand squeeze balls and small toys.
“The Block Party Family Expo is a true win for our community,” GLMV Chamber President Scott Adams said. “It is wonderful to see so many enjoy a fun, free event, engage with local businesses and groups that enhance our area, and build connections that may last beyond the day.
“It really shows the strength and spirit of our GLMV community,” Adams said.
Pam Kitts, co-founder of Adoptable Friends NFP, a not-for-profit organization, had a table at an entrance which was quite visible to present available adoptable puppies to the public. The organization has been in existence for seven years, serving Lake County.
“Almost all of the puppies and dogs that we take in come from high-kill shelters,” Kitts said. “So an event like this gives us a lot of exposure.”
Entertainment included performances by the Improv Playhouse of Libertyville and the School of Rock Libertyville. Singer Meadow Clouse of Kenosha, Wisconsin, performed on tambourine and explained the benefits of participating as an emerging adult musician with the School of Rock.
“I think you learn so much and you develop a community,” Clouse said. “You learn to work as a team.”
Several reptiles and a Teddy Bear tarantula were presented from safe distances to a packed audience by animal handler Megan Campbell of Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles.
Kiwi, a male green iguana, boa constrictors and a tortoise were among the surprises shown to the audience of all ages.
“It’s very important to show people these animals, specifically reptiles, because a lot of the time, reptiles are the ones that people misunderstand,” Campbell said. “So I’m here to teach you guys to respect the animals people go out of their way to harm simply because they don’t understand.
“These animals are very beneficial to our ecosystem, including snakes and spiders and things like rodents and mosquitoes and all the gross bugs that humans do not like,” she said. “This is to teach them all about that. I love to show that truly anybody can love these animals.”
David Lee of Vernon Hills said the event “can help us learn about various vendors, all local businesses. It’s good for the local economy.”
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