4th Of July Celebration Is On In Orland Park, Resolution Declares

ORLAND PARK, IL — Not only will the village of Orland Park move forward with its Fourth of July celebration in its traditional form in 2020, trustees passed a resolution indicating their intention and ability to do so. A number of municipalities, including neighboring Tinley Park, have cancelled large summer events amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Trustees voted 5-2 Monday night to approve a resolution that ensures plans to hold the Liberty Fun Run 5K on July 3 and fireworks and music celebration at Centennial Park on July 4 continue "with modifications." Modifications include social distancing, reduced capacity, reduced access to shared areas, increased sanitation measures and no water fountains, the resolution states.

"The show must go on," Orland Park Trustee Michael Milani said. "We are celebrating and independence, and also our independence from COVID-19. We've been in our house long enough. We can now come together once again."

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The village cited "the powers explicitly designated to home rule units," of which Orland Park is one, for their ability to move forward with such events.

But not all on the village board are behind the plan. Trustee Kathleen Fenton said that while she had no objection to holding a fireworks show, "I don't understand why we are having a band (and) creating this nuisance... an event like this draws thousands."

"Why don't we just do the fireworks, eliminate the band and save a lot of money?" she asked.

Current plans for July 4 are for the band "Gone 2 Paradise" perform on the Centennial Park stage at 7:15 p.m. and for a fireworks show to begin around 9:30 p.m. Only vehicles with a current village of Orland Park sticker will be allowed to be parked at Centennial Park, Centennial Park West or the 159th Street Metra station during the celebration.

Fenton and Trustee Dan Calandriello voted against Monday's resolution. Calandriello said passing the resolution wasn't necessary as planning these events is an administrative decision. He called the resolution "political," adding his health-related concerns regarding an event that can draw thousands amid the pandemic.

It will be "very hard to enforce social distancing," Calandriello said.

It will "unnecessarily stress our village police and fire departments," he said. "We can celebrate in other ways."

All other trustees voted in favor, as did Mayor Keith Pekau.

Trustee William Healy said holding the celebration is "a perfect way to show the constitution is alive and well," repeatedly denouncing the "looting" going on in recent days, apparent references to civil unrest connected to the police-related death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.

"We've seen thousands of people demonstrate the last few weeks with no spike in COVID cases," Pekau added.