The weather gods were not kind to Orland Park last week.
A tornado touched down in the village July 27 and did a lot of damage but did not take any lives. Then Saturday, a deluge of rain in the afternoon forced Mayor James Dodge to make the logical but still tough, call to cancel the second day of 23rd running of the Taste of Orland Park.
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“We all were watching the forecast, and it gets to a certain point where an outdoor event like this … you can’t do it,” Dodge said. “We didn’t want a safety risk or the risk of a bad night so it was the right decision.”
It was the first time the fest was shut down for a full day.
In recent years, there were delays and interruptions because of weather, but not full days getting vanquished. It was one of the few events in the Chicago area to take place in 2020 during the height of COVID-19, although on a smaller scale with precautions in place.
The fest was able to run on Friday and Sunday at Village Green with some changes to the schedule and Dodge estimated 10,000 showed up for Sunday’s event.
“You know what? There are a lot of people here tonight and the clouds are gone and it’s the perfect temperature,” he said after the village’s Veterans Tribute took place Sunday on the main stage. “This is like San Diego weather right now.”
The Veterans Tribute was slated for Saturday but Dodge said it was important to reschedule it for Sunday.
Powerful singer Jim Cornelison, scheduled for Saturday, was able to make it Sunday and delivered a rousing version of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” that had the crowd yelling and cheering.
Orland Park veterans Ron Beaudry and George Kazin were honored during the ceremony.
Beaudry, an Army veteran of the Korean War, had several jobs over the years including spending 21 years working building maintenance for the village before he retired in 2019.
The 85-year-old has been to the taste every year of its existence either a spectator or a worker.
“I did anything that was required,” Beaudry said.
But this was the first time he was honored in front of thousands of fest goers.
“It’s a little bit overwhelming,” he said. “I had never been on the stage before. I’m glad the mayor recognizes veterans and people who work for the village.”
Dodge said both honorees help veterans causes with Beaudary and Kazin both joining the Veterans Advisory Board and collecting and packing care packages to the troops overseas.
Kazin, 78, a De La Salle and Loyola University grad, enlisted in the Army in 1971 and worked as a legal clerk in Missouri. He was employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for 27 years. He spent 15 years volunteering as a youth basketball coach.
“I enjoy coming to these ceremonies,” Kazin said. “I’m there on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. I never thought I would receive an award.”
On the other end of the age spectrum, children were able to enjoy some of the activities.
Maddie Battaglia, 8, of Orland Park, took some time Friday night to laugh and play in the bubble area. Some of the bubble creations she came up with were massive.
Interestingly, that wasn’t her favorite part of the festival. She said her favorite was the “stands,” which was actually the two long rows of vendors, some of who gave her free items such as a key chain and coloring books.
“We’ve been coming to the taste since she’s been 2,” said Alaina Battaglia, Maddie’s mother. “I love the music and getting the whole town together is awesome.”
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This is the second year the fest was back at Village Green. In 2024, it was moved to Centennial Park West after the facility went through major improvements while Keith Pekau was the mayor.
Taste of Orland Park was slated back at Centennial Park West in 2025 but Dodge and the new board changed the plans and brought it back to its original home at the Village Green.
There were 22 food vendors on hand and aside from food and music, there was bingo and fireworks plus a drone show on the schedule.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.