March 15, 2024

Headliners announced for Skokie's Backlot Bash '24

Skokie's Backlot Bash organizers today announced the music headliners for the August 23-25, event. They include:

Friday, August 23

8:45 p.m.–– Arrested Development

7:15 p.m. –– Big Wade & Black Swan Theory

Saturday, August 24

8:30 p.m. –– Tonic

7 p.m. –– Woolworthy

Sunday, August 25

6:30 p.m. –– Tributosaurus becomes The Kinks (take 2)

Grammy Award winners and hip hop legends Arrested Development will headline Friday night. Grammy nominees Tonic will bring the rock on Saturday night, with local musicians Tributosaurus hitting the stage on Sunday evening, again becoming The Kinks, finishing their 2022 one-song, rained out performance.

Now in its seventeenth year, the Bash will feature 14 other live music acts that will play on two street festival stages over three days, featuring rock, Americana, soul, funk, hip hop and much more. More bands will be announced in the coming weeks.

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.

Begins today: Spring program registration for residents!

The Skokie Park District's spring classes and events are now online and with them your online Spring Program Guide.

Your Spring Guide offers you and your family a digitally-packaged look at an enormous variety of April and May recreational, educational and fitness alternatives, including many special events.

Celebrate spring by finding a new passion at your Skokie Park District!

Click the guide cover to get in on the fun!

Registration begins

March 15 for residents

March 22 for non-residents

Thin Ice Ensemble presents: Emma

It's 1815 and Jane Austen's Emma Woodhouse is handsome, clever, spoiled and rich. As she attempts to marry off her trusting young friend Harriet to all the wrong people, she nearly misses out on true love herself. Set in remote Surrey, an English county full of beauties, and full of unforgettable comic characters, "Emma" stands out as one of the great works of the English language.

Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 23 at 7 p.m.

Sunday, March 24 at 3 p.m.

Devonshire Playhouse

4400 Greenwood St.

Adults: $20 • Students: $15

3-on-3 Throwdown

Basketball tournament for grades 3-8

Put together a team of friends and compete in the Weber Leisure Center's version of March Madness! All participants will receive a t-shirt, and trophies or medals will be awarded to first place teams in each division.

Sunday, March 24 at 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Weber Leisure Center Gym

9300 Weber Park Place

Team registration is required. Boys and girls divisions may be combined in the event of low enrollment.

For more information email Bob DeLeonardis.

Registration deadline is March 22. No late entries will be accepted.

Spring Break Mini Camp: History Mock Trial

Kids ages 10-14. What does your right to freedom of speech mean? From 1976 to 1978, a small group of American Nazis based in Chicago tried to hold a demonstration in front of Skokie's Village Hall due to the large number of Jewish people and Holocaust survivors living in Skokie. The Village's attempt to protect its residents from outside parties resulted in a major legal battle that went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States.

In this spring break mini-camp, learn how the American legal system works, what our right to freedom of speech really means, and how events here in Skokie shaped the course of American history. Campers will participate in a mock trial based off the Supreme Court case.

Please provide a current email address and complete a Camper Information Form (CIF) prior to the first day. (Login required.) Please email eengland@skokieparks.org with any questions.

Monday-Friday, March 25-29, 1-4 p.m.

Skokie Heritage Museum

8031 Floral Ave.

Fee: $150 (resident) / $187 (non-resident)

Enjoy Breakfast with the Bunny

Join us for a hot breakfast with the bunny! Families will enjoy crafts and family pictures with the bunny, and participate in a private outdoor egg hunt at 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, March 30, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Oakton Community Center 4701 Oakton St.

Fee: $17/$19 (All participants must register for this event. Children under 1 are free.)

Free! Outdoor Egg Hunt

Bring the whole family to this free event and meet the Oakton Park bunny! The egg hunt will begin at 10 a.m. sharp, so don't be late.

Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. sharp

Oakton Park

4701 Oakton St.

Bring your own basket. Children will be divided into three age groups.

Need a room rental? Your park district has 37 options!

See our improved rental navigation system, including 360° views of most rooms

If you are looking for a room to host a meeting, party or conference, your Skokie Park District offers 37 room rental options at ten district facilities.

From large rooms to small intimate rooms, the district offers spaces with kitchens, theatre stages, and access to outdoor pools in the summer.

Check out our new facility rental pages now, complete with 360° views of each room!

Check out the district's March Happenings calendar!

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.

Click here for the entire calendar of events at the Skokie Park District.

View your Summer Camp Guide 2024!

The park district's summer camps are now online and with them the district's Summer Camp Guide 2024.

This guide offers you and your family a convenient look at all 64 of our summer camps including art camps, general camps, nature camps, sports camps, teen camps and special interest camps.

Find a suitable summer camp for your child today!

Click the guide's cover graphic to join the fun.

Registration is now underway for all!