05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Niles is starting a new tradition with ‘Founders Day' event that's hopefully ‘a way to bring people together'
The village of Niles will host its first ever 'Founders Day' later this month, an event expected to be an annual summertime one that is born out of the town celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2024.
Acting Village Manager Katie Schneider told Pioneer Press the inaugural event is planned for Aug. 16 at Golf Mill Park. The village's 125th anniversary celebration took place Aug. 17, 2024, to celebrate the north suburb's incorporation as a village in 1899.
'The popularity of it and the nostalgia of having an annual community event specifically for Niles really resonated, so we wanted to continue it. Now we're going to do it annually as Founders Day,' Schneider said.
According to Schneider, last year's anniversary celebration brought people together for events and activities.
'It was kind of a throwback to Niles Days, which had gone on for many decades here,' Schneider said.
Kristina Vasilic, community engagement and special events coordinator for Niles, has collaborated with village departments, including public works, police and fire, to plan the free family-friendly Founders Day to celebrate the founding of Niles.
'Having it free and open to the community is a way to bring people together. We want everyone to be able to participate,' Schneider said. 'We're hoping a lot of people stop by and make it one of their traditions each summer.'
Entertainment is scheduled to include 10-year-old Sophia Hope, who is known as 'The National Anthem Girl' on YouTube and Instagram, performing 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'
'She knows the audience. Her music is always well-received. It tends to get people up and dancing. She's really engaged with the crowd. We've used her many times at our events,' Schneider said.
According to Schneider, a concert featuring Brass from the Past will mark the first time the tribute to the legends of rock and soul band performs at a village event.
'It's pop music from all different decades to sing along and dance along to,' Schneider said about the horn band's set list, which primarily focuses on 1960s to 1980s hits. 'Because it's a live band they've got their own twist to it.'
Other entertainment planned includes a fireworks show, dunk tank, photo booth, a pie-eating contest and sack races.
Activities are set to include bubble artist Jason Kollum from Niles, a face painting and balloon artist from A Hardy Party, JG's Reptile Road Show, Sarah's Pony Rides and a truck featuring video games.
'It's definitely all ages. We have anything for young kids to middle school. Our Teen Center will be there with teen activities,' Schneider said.
Food vendors on tap include Jester Food Truck with lemonade and donuts, La Chingada with tacos, Laura Moldovan with cotton candy, Pinoy Grill with Filipino street food, Rita's with Italian ice, SD Pizzeria from Niles and The Yellow Duck Truck with burgers. There will also be a beer tent, organizers explained.
'We try to embrace the different cultures and diversity we have here especially with food trucks and any of our food vendors,' Schneider said. 'We want to appeal to a broad audience with different ethnic cuisines. We want a little bit of everything so people have something to enjoy.'
Founders Day will also feature village departments, as well as facility and organization booths – including Niles Family Fitness Center, Niles Family Services, Niles Fire Department, Niles Historical Society, Niles Police Department and Niles Senior Center.
'We do encourage everyone to attend,' Schneider said. 'Having an annual event in the summertime where people can relax, meet with neighbors and have activities is a good opportunity to build a sense of community.'
