Title
Taste of Orland Park Kids Day
History
The Taste of Orland Park Kids Day typically takes place on the Saturday of the Taste weekend from 1:00pm - 5:00pm at the High Point and Orland Junior High School grounds. In previous years, parents and staff have expressed frustration that the location is too far from the Taste restaurants. Additionally, the main grounds of the Taste typically experience low attendance during the weekend day-time hours, resulting in low sales for restaurants participating in the Taste.
In an effort to increase attendance on the main Taste grounds during the early afternoon hours, staff recommends moving Kids Day from the original site to the north end of the Village Green on the main Taste of Orland Park grounds. The new "Kid's Zone" would take place on both Saturday, August 7th, and Sunday, August 8th, from 1:00pm - 4:00pm at an estimated additional cost of $1,200. The additional expense needed to expand to two (2) days will be covered by savings experienced from eliminating OP's Got Talent and the Lip Sync contest, both of which have experienced dwindling participation.
The Kid's Zone foot print will accommodate three (3) large inflatable's, children's community groups, field games, pony rides, balloon artist, bubble show, giant yard games, reptile petting zoo, and Mr. D's Magic Show. Additionally, Kid's Zone will expand to the amphitheater for a children's improv, dance and community theater; and the Franklin Loebe Center parking lot, with Touch-a-Truck on Saturday and barrel train car rides on Sunday.
Kid's Zone will conclude at 4:00pm on both days before the 5:00pm prime-time influx of attendees with little impact to lawn seating or parking at FLC.
Prior to 2020, Taste restaurants were placed in three (3) rows utilizing the Civic Center parking lot. Restaurants in the third row closest to the John Humphrey Complex have routinely expressed displeasure in this placement. In 2020, restaurants were placed in two (2) rows west of the main stage and one (1) row east of the main stage. For 2021, staff proposes utilizing a similar placement of restaurants thereby creating two (2) front rows for participating restaurants. The third row will be utilized as a seating area with picnic tables.
The Recreation Advisory Board was presented with these recommendations at the May 4, 2021 meeting and unanimously supported the suggested changes to Kids Day and the placement of restaurants in 2021.
The attached illustrates the proposed 2021 Taste layout.
Financial Impact
$8,600 is budgeted for Kid's Day in account 010-9400-442450 and $500 in account 010-9400-460290. In addition, $1650 is budgeted in account 010-9400-442450 for OP's Got Talent and the Lip Sync contest.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve moving Kid's Day to the main Taste of Orland Park grounds, expanding it for two (2) days, Saturday, August 7th, and Sunday, August 8, 2021, from 1:00pm - 4:00pm both days and to change the restaurant layout to both sides of the main stage for the 2021 Taste of Orland Park.