Community Corner

Everything to Know About Gathering on the Green 2012

The annual Western Springs downtown festival kicks off tonight at 5:00 p.m.; here's your complete rundown on what will be going on.

There may be no annual event more closely tied to the Village of Western Springs than the Gathering on the Green—only Tower Trot competes—and for many Village residents, it’s a can’t-miss festival.

“It’s a great place to learn a little bit more about how great it is to be a part of Western Springs,” said organizer Lynn Anne Gantt of the Western Springs Business Association, which puts on the Gathering. “I think it embodies the character of Western Springs.”

“This is the one event where all families can come, be together, enjoy some good music, get the best of what Western Springs has to offer in regards to food… It’s just a safe environment to really enjoy your neighbors and meet some new people as well.”

Find out what's happening in Western Springswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Gathering will be held on from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Instead of the typical three musical acts, this year will have four: the Banjo Buddies (4:30-5:45 p.m.,) Midway Ramblers Cajun Band (6:00-7:15 p.m.) the Trinity Irish Dancers (7:30-8:00 p.m.) and new headliners Retrospect (8:15-10:00 p.m.)

and hospitals are joining the Gathering for the first time, and will be helping kids learn to create their own first aid kits. will be doing temporary hair coloring and braiding. Dr. Gordon Fimreite will offer free spinal screenings, and the Lyons Club will run free hearing tests. Young Orthodontics is hosting an “Olympic-Themed Bean-Bag Toss.”

Find out what's happening in Western Springswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Classically, the will offer a bevy of entertaining games for kids, and the will be on hand with vehicles doing safety programs. is selling snow cones and hosting a pitching speed test. Boy Scout Troop 3 is selling cotton candy; Troop 216 is selling snow cones.

A major draw for the Gathering is the food and Village restaurants are out in force as vendors: (pizza and Italian beef,) 800 West (bratwurst shrimp, watermelon, chips,) (Dip’n Dots,) (smiley cookies and brownies,) the (fruit smoothies and roasted corn,) (burgers, hotdogs, pulled pork, pickles on a stick,) (popcorn,) (chicken skewers, balsamic-infused watermelon,) Mazzone’s Italian Ice (gelato, Italian ice,) (knackwurst,) (sesame chicken, fried rice, egg rolls, spring rolls) and (ice cream.)

Other businesses/organizations who will be there are , Pocket Dots, Language Stars, Harris Bank, Village Veterinary of Western Springs, , CHT Orthodontics, , the , Church Women United… oh, and Western Springs Patch.

Gathering on the Green is largely a fundraiser for the Western Springs Business Association, in particular the WSBA scholarships which are presented annually. A special ceremony will be held at 6:45 p.m. on the music stage for : Andrew Brown, Mattheu Bucio, William Crawshaw and Erin Richards.

The event is rain-or-shine, but the forecast looks good.

Come say hi at the bright-green Patch tent!


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