Palos Park Chili Cook-Off To Raise Funds For 9/11 Museum

Submitted by the Village of Palos Park

The will host its annual on Saturday, September 17, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

This year’s patriotic event will recognize local firefighters and police officers in remembrance of the 10^th anniversary of September 11 along with raising money for the Palos Park Police Foundation and the Palos Fire Protection District through a Split the Pot Raffle. 

A special Memorial Wall created throughout the day from the attendees of the event, will be on display on the Village Green.  For a small donation, attendees can post a thought or children can color a paper American Flag for the wall. 

The proceeds will be sent to the 9/11 Memorial Museum in NYC.  The goal is to raise $500 so that the Village of Palos Park can sponsor a cobblestone on the Memorial Glade, where special ceremonies will take place. 

The Palos Park Memorial Wall will also be set up in front of the Palos Park Recreation Center the week following the event for residents to visit and make donations.

The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a parade down McCarthy Road, with local firefighters and police officers serving as honorary Grand Marshalls continuing on the Village Green with a nationally sanctioned Chili Cook-Off and many fun activities for the entire family. 

Festivities include: Fire and Police Demonstrations, , Children’s Game Area sponsored by , face painting, inflatable obstacle course and jump, and more. 

Entertainment will be provided from local High School groups, DJ Dance Factory, Jim Nesci’s Reptile Show,, Stage Door Dance, and Average Joe Band. 

Participants can enjoy food and beverages from a variety of local vendors including: , , Zacarelli’s Pizza, , Palos Lions Club with Roasted Corn, and more.

Current sponsors for the event include Klein, Thorpe, Jenkins, Ltd; Carlson Asphalt Company; Mary O’Connor; Speer Financial; Walters Law Group; Wolf & Company; and The Regional Newspapers.  For more information, please visit www.palospark.org.