Oak Lawn's Fall Family Fest Doubles In Size, Offers Free Fun

OAK LAWN, IL — More than 400 area residents attended a fall festival put on by the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce on Sunday as part of an event that has become a favorite among attendees.

The annual Fall Family Fest included a variety of events including miniature golf, a golf driving range, bags, a gel-blaster target practice range, face painting, and two inflatables for younger festivalgoers to enjoy. Calvary Church provided free popcorn while Acorn To Oak Studios provided a free craft fair for kids and area restaurants — including Fox’s Restaurant, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Smiling Clyde’s Hot Dogs —provided plenty of good food options for visitors.

Local officials, including Oak Lawn Village Manager Tom Phelan and Mayor Terry Vorderer, made appearances at the event along with Oak Lawn Park District President Dan Johnson, organizers said.

Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Anne Fritz said in an email on Tuesday that local residents are thankful for a family-centered event that is free. A full photo collection from the event can be found by clicking here.

The festival’s attendance has more than doubled in the past year, going from 150 in 2022 to more than 400 for Sunday’s event, Fritz said. She said that the Chamber Fall Family Fest Committee worked hard over the past few months to secure sponsors, plan activities and get the word out about the event.

Student volunteers from Oak Lawn Community High School and Richards High School ran the games and assisted with the craft and kids’ activities such as the gel-blaster target, miniature golf, bounce houses, and balloon animals.

The students received service hours for their efforts, Fritz said. Adult volunteers from the Chamber along with members of Calvary Church of Oak Lawn made sure that everything ran smoothly.