Backlot Bash headliners, spring break staycation + | |
2023 headliners announced! | |
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Skokie's Backlot Bash organizers today announced the 2023 Bash music headliners for this year's event, to be held August 25-27 in downtown Skokie. They include:
Friday
8:30 p.m.–– Blessid Union of Souls
6:45 p.m. –– Sponge
Saturday
8:30 p.m. –– Eve 6
7 p.m. –– The Handcuffs
Sunday
6 p.m. –– Tributosaurus
becomes The Doobie Brothers
12 more bands to be announced. Stay tuned!
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Now in its sixteenth year, the Bash will feature 17 live music acts that will play on two street festival stages over three days, featuring rock, indie rock, folk, Americana, soul, roots and more.
The three-day street festival will also host a carnival midway, a large beer tent, the Backlot Dash 5K Run and Half Mile Youth Color Fun Run, a bingo tent, exhibits at the Skokie Heritage Museum –– and on Sunday, a farmer's market, and the Rotary Pancake Breakfast from 8-11 a.m., featuring a bloody mary & mimosa bar. Other events are still being planned and will be announced soon.
Skokie's Backlot Bash is located at the corner of Floral & Oakton in downtown Skokie. For up-to-the-minute new information please visit www.BacklotBash.com.
Music history of the Bash
Skokie's Backlot Bash is presented by the Skokie Park District, the Village of Skokie, the Skokie Public Library, the Skokie Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Niles Township High School District 219.
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Spring Break staycation destinations! | |
Who needs a warm, sunny, expensive beach vacation when Skokie offers all the fun your family needs over spring break! Here are just a few things to explore at your park district: | |
Spring Break Camps & Trips
Sign up for our Spring Break half-day and full-day camps for kids ages 3-14! Camps include sports camps at Weber, cultural arts camps at Devonshire, SPACE camps at Oakton, history camps at the Skokie Heritage Museum, and nature camps at the Emily Oaks Nature Center! Camps run the week of March 27–31. Click here to view them and register!
Open Gym Basketball
at the Weber Leisure Center
Lace up your new kicks and play some hoops during Open Gym at the Weber Center. Just shoot around or get in a game! See the schedule here.
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Fun at Skokie Sports Park
Golf Range with Trackman
The Sports Park golf range is one of the top 50 golf ranges in America, now featuring Trackman monitors, which measure swing data including club speed, angles, ball speed, distance, height of ball, direction and more. In addition to the range monitors, you can download the Trackman app for anytime analysis of your swing, via your favorite app store. Trackman also offers games, as well as virtual play on some of the world's most famous golf courses. Click here for a Trackman informational video. Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily.
Adventure (Mini) Golf
At the 18-hole Traveler's Quest course, visit some of the world's most iconic places, from the Eiffel Tower to Antarctica to the Willis Tower, all the while playing through several water features and a waterfall. Kids Quest offers nine holes and is great for little ones with short attention spans. Ride a jeep, climb on dinosaurs or go down a slide! Call (847) 674-1500, ext. 3100 to make a reservation on the same day as play. Limited to 4 or fewer people per tee time. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Click here for all things Skokie Sports Park!
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Public Skating at the Skatium Ice Arena
Your family and friends will thoroughly enjoy the Skatium Ice Arena’s daily public skating sessions. After a few laps around the ice you may even decide to sign up for our award-winning figure skating and, or hockey programs! See address, fees and hours here.
Buy a day pass for Fitness First
Want to try out Fitness First for a day or a week? Buy a daily pass for $16 (resident) or $20 (non-resident) or a weekly pass for $70 (resident) or $88 (non-resident). These fees include the health club, locker rooms, and indoor track. Purchase at the Weber front desk. Teachers and students: Ask our staff about the 7 Days for $7 special in March!
Walk or run the indoor track at the Weber Leisure Center
Located on the second floor of the Weber Leisure Center, the track consists of three lanes for walking and running. A total of 11 laps around the track equals approximately one mile. Free for residents. Click here for information.
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3-on-3 Throwdown!
This all-day, 3-on-3, double elimination basketball extravaganza is for kids in grades 3-8. All participants will receive a t-shirt. Trophies and medals will be awarded to first place teams in each division. In the event of low enrollment, boys and girls divisions may be combined. March 26. Click here for information.
Play the Weber Park Golf Course
Set to open on April 1, all ages will enjoy a round of golf or footgolf on this 9-hole, par-3 course. Featuring bent grass greens, beautiful landscaping, and a gazebo, the course is ideal for beginning golfers or working on your short game. Click here for information.
Kids Night Out at The Exploritorium
Kids deserve a night out too! Join us for an evening of supervised fun, crafts, snacks, Exploritorium playtime and many more surprises. Light snacks will be provided. Kids should eat dinner before arrival. Friday, March 24, 6:30-9 p.m. Pre-Registration is required. Click here for information.
The Exploritorium
Named Chicagoland's "Top Rainy Day Destination" by the Chicago Tribune, the Exploritorium is a place where children and adults visit to explore together through interactive play. Make-believe in our costumed dress-up area; run your fingers through our water play area; climb a wall, play with trains, and experience new heights in our two-and-a half-story tubes and tunnels. Click here for information.
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Thin Ice Ensemble Presents
Murder on the Orient Express
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When a murder occurs on the train on which he's traveling, celebrated detective Hercule Poirot is recruited to solve the case. A production of Thin Ice Ensemble's homeschool teen group.
Devonshire Playhouse
Friday, March 17 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 18 at 3 p.m.
Saturday, March 18 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 19 at 3 p.m.
Adults: $20
Seniors & Students: $15
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7 Days for $7
for teachers & students!
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Through March 31
Teachers and students! Home from school for spring break? Pay only $7 for a seven day membership at Fitness First, including all group exercise and spin classes.
Sign up for this unique student- and teacher-only membership at the Weber Leisure Center front desk! Students under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian signature to join. Valid for seven consecutive days from the membership start date, which can begin as late as March 31. No refunds or holds.
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Amato named assistant superintendent of recreation | |
Mary Amato has been named the new assistant superintendent of recreation for the Skokie Park District. In her new position, she will assist the superintendent of recreation in overseeing and directing the district’s recreation division.
Amato will also specifically oversee the operation of the Devonshire Cultural Center, the Oakton Community Center, and Tot Learning Center, as well as administrating the district’s summer camp program and the district’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
In her previous district positions, Amato served as the Weber Leisure Center manager, Weber’s recreational services manager, and supervisor of The Exploritorium at the Oakton Community Center, where she led the renovation of that facility in 2010. She has also coordinated special events districtwide and annually co-coordinated the accreditation process for all Skokie Park District summer camps. She won a district exceptional service award in 2011.
Amato received a bachelor’s degree in human development at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. When not at work she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.
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Check out the district's March Happenings! | |
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If you are looking for new and unique ways to have fun in March, the Skokie Park District offers great one-day events, workshops, outings, special events and more!
Click on the calendar below to view it and access its links.
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See our Spring Program Guide!
Registration is ongoing now
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The park district's spring classes and events are now online and with them the district's Spring Program Guide for 2023.
This guide offers you and your family a convenient look at an enormous variety of recreational, educational and fitness alternatives, including many spring special events.
Celebrate spring by finding a new program, class or hobby at your Skokie Park District!
Click the guide's cover graphic to join the fun!
Spring Registration is open for all!
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