Fun in the Sun: Can’t-Miss Summer Activities for Seniors in Elmhurst, IL

May 24, 2021 | Life at Park Place, Senior Health

If you live in or around Chicago – or if you’re just visiting – you might want to get away from the noise and heat of the big city and try out some fun in the sun in nearby Elmhurst, IL.

“This year, we have a nice variety of events for residents and visitors to enjoy,” says Beth McGowan Welch, Executive Director at Park Place of Elmhurst, a Life Plan Community in the Chicago-area region. “Summer is a great time to get out and take part in some beloved community events – the weather is great and the opportunities for fun are practically endless.”

Beth says that, this year, Park Place residents are looking forward to getting out and having fun in the greater community. “After all the non-events of 2020, we’re ready to live life to the fullest again,” she says. “We’re looking forward to planning activities and events both on and off campus for our residents and their family members.”

Park Place holds a variety of community events throughout the year, which are open to the public. Beth encourages interested parties to check out what the community is offering by visiting their events page.

In addition, we’ve put together a list of some of the favorite annual summer events in Elmhurst that are fun for seniors and everyone else alike. Because this summer is still very much up-in-the-air with regards to what will be taking place, please be sure to double-check each event to make sure it’s still occurring. Ready? Let’s begin.

Block to Block Party 2021

Every Wednesday night in June and July, residents gather in the heart of Elmhurst for the annual Block to Block Party from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. There are great bands for the whole family to enjoy in both the City Centre Fountain Plaza and the North York Plaza, and free crafts for the kids in the Fountain Plaza. Check City Centre’s Facebook page to confirm dates and times for 2021.

Movie in the Park

Grab a picnic blanket and head to Wilder Park for a free showing of beloved, family-friendly movies once a month. Reservations are required, and are first come, first serve. Seating begins at 7:30 p.m. and the move begins at dusk, approximately 9 p.m. Feel free to bring dinner and drinks (no alcohol is allowed in the park). Visit the Elmhurst Park District page for more information.

Friday, June 18 – The Croods: A New Age 

Friday, July 9 – The Goonies 

Friday, August 6 – Raya and the Last Dragon

Great Western Prairie Volunteer Days

If you enjoy preserving the great outdoors, put on your work boots and help maintain Elmhurst’s stretch of 10,000-year-old prairie. Once a month, volunteers meet at the Great Western Prairie (intersection of Berkley Avenue and Prairie Path, just west of Spring Road) from 9 a.m. to noon.  Make sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring work gloves. For more information contact Eric Keeley at keeley.eric@gmail.com or click here.

Day 1: Saturday, June 19

Day 2: Saturday, July 17

Day 3: Saturday, August 21

Bags, Brew and BBQ

Join the community for a game night just for adults at Wilder Park. Fill up on barbecue, grab a drink and enjoy a relaxing evening out. Featuring bags and other games guaranteed to bring out your competitive spirit. Attendees must be 21 or older.

Saturday, July 24

6 p.m.

Park Palooza

Bid farewell to summer on a high note at the annual Park Palooza. The event takes place at Berens Park and includes live concerts, a wine and beer garden, food trucks and family games and activities.

Saturday, August 21

5 p.m.

Par Excellence Redux 2021 

The Front 9: July 7 – September 26 

In a unique collision of recreation and art, the Elmhurst Art Museum has commissioned a two-part miniature golf course of playable works of art by local and national artists. This course is a reimagining of the wildly popular 1988 exhibition Par Excellence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The custom-built playable miniature golf course will be split into two exhibits: The Front 9 (summer) and The Back 9 (fall). Designed to use the museum’s galleries with COVID protocols, the two nine-hole courses will be comprised of a surprisingly varied collection of themes and forms, promising an unusual twist on a familiar pastime. The course opens July 8 with advanced Tee Times starting June 1.

Music at the Gazebo

Every Thursday evening in the summer, Elmhurst’s Spring Road Business Association hosts Music at the Gazebo events on Thursday evenings. From the first of June until the middle of August, all are invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs and snacks to the park for the concerts, which begin at 7 p.m. Each week different artists offer presentations ranging from classical to Motown.

25th Anniversary Garden Walk & Faire

Join the Elmhurst Garden Club for annual Garden Walk & Faire. Community destinations and homeowners welcome guests to tour their gardens, which range from modest to grand. Wilder Park additionally hosts an array of vendors offering various plants and unusual gardening accessories and decorations. This year will showcase five private gardens.

Sunday, July 11

The Elmhurst Park District also offers a wide variety of activities, events, classes and other opportunities for everyone from young children to seniors. Check out their summer 2021 catalog for more information and how to register.

Discover the Difference at Park Place of Elmhurst

Park Place of Elmhurst is a different kind of retirement community – you’ll enjoy a lifestyle unlike any you’ve experienced. A lifestyle that is maintenance-free with lots of helpful services, remarkable amenities with engaging neighbors just outside your door – all backed by Providence Life Services, a Christian-based organization that’s been a trusted name in Chicago-area senior living for more than a century.

Offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation and Memory Support, Park Place of Elmhurst provides peace of mind. Residents of Park Place have made the decision and moved into a Life Plan Community that will ensure whatever life change happens, Park Place is the right place for all their care needs. One of the fabulous benefits of choosing a Life Plan Community is the peace of mind knowing that you have made the decision and partnered with a community committed to providing all the levels of living from the day you move in.

We encourage you or your loved one to contact us to learn more about our exclusive community or schedule a personal tour by calling 630-239-5127.