Orland Park Plans Summer Events Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

ORLAND PARK, IL — As the number of people infected by the new coronavirus rises daily in Orland Park, the village has set forth a plan to move forward with all traditional summer gatherings, and a new summer concert series, in 2020. The village cited President Donald Trump and his "Opening Up America Again" plan in "proudly" unveiling its lineup of events from Memorial Day through August in a Friday afternoon news release.

“It’s time to look toward the future and the beginning of the return to normalcy here in Orland Park,” Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau said. “Although we continue to monitor the current environment and plan accordingly, we also have to plan for a phased reopening of the local economy, getting people back to work, and enjoying all of the great things that Orland Park has to offer.”

As of April 17, the day the village began promoting the events, there were 128 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the village, according to a map developed by the Cook County Department of Public Health. That's 226 per 100,000 people that have tested positive for COVID-19, the illness that results from contracting the virus.

Related: More Than 100 People In Orland Park Have Tested Positive For Coronavirus

The mayor's "return to normalcy" plan was also announced the same day a spokeswoman from the Smith Crossing senior living community in Orland Park reported two of their residents have also tested positive for the coronavirus.

Trump's "opening" plan calls for three phases. Only the third phase of the plan calls for gathering in large groups without social distancing. A week ago, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker suggested canceling all large summer gatherings in the state as he could not imagine them moving forward without a vaccine.

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Still, at least one Orland Park trustee joins the mayor in looking forward to an eventful summer in the village.

“The Village of Orland Park is a strong community and you can see evidence of that at our annual events,” Trustee Jim Dodge said in the news release. “I look forward to attending this summer’s events with my family and as a part of our great community.”

The new summer concert series at Centennial Park West begins on July 18, with other shows planned for August 8 and August 22 as part of the series. Tickets will go on sale to village residents May 1 and to all others on May 22, according to the village.

“We have three fantastic concerts, featuring three different musical genres with something for everyone,” Pekau said.

Other Orland Park events on tap, the village stated in its release, include the Memorial Day ceremony on May 25, Market at the Park recurring events from June 4 to July 23, the Veterans Liberty Run & Walk on July 3 and the Centennial Park fireworks show on the Fourth of July.

The Taste of Orland Park, set for the weekend of July 31 through August 2 at Village Center, is also still on.

“We’ve been through a lot and I can’t wait to see the community back out enjoying all Orland Park has to offer,” Pekau said. “See you this summer.”

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