Taste of Oak Brook new to the party

Oak Brook will turn things up a notch to make its annual Independence Day Celebration even more festive.

To celebrate the village's 50th anniversary, Oak Brook officials have expanded the celebration to include the first-ever Taste of Oak Brook and an all-class reunion for Butler Junior High School, which will both start about five hours before the annual fireworks show.

"It's our 50th so we want to do something special," said Village Manager David Niemeyer.

This year's taste will include dishes for sale from Tuscany of Oak Brook, Anthony's Italian Chop House, Parkers' Ocean Grill, Morton's the Steakhouse, Maggiano's Little Italy, Grotto Oak Brook, Reel Club and Chicago Marriot Oak Brook and Renaissance Hotels.

Taste organizers, including Village Trustee Kathy Manofsky and Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce President Tracy Mulqueen, say this new element will help showcase one of Oak Brook's strongest draws.

"The area now has so many more restaurant offerings, so this is a way to promote all the different styles and flavors," Mulqueen said.

The other new feature this year is Butler Junior High School's all-class reunion. All alumni from the 45-year-old school are invited to reconnect with each other and their former teachers before the fireworks show. No registration is required.

Patti Truedson, an Oak Brook resident, alumna and current employee of the school, said organizing the reunion has been a lot of work, but it's building a good buzz around the village.

"It's been very fun discovering all the different paths in life the alumni have taken," Truedson said. "Many former students have responded and are happy to have a chance to reconnect with people that they have not seen in years."

The Independence Day Celebration will also include giveaways and free food samples from McDonald's, whose corporate headquarters are housed in Oak Brook, entertainment, DJ music and balloon artists. Niemeyer says officials aren't sure if this year's expanded format will become a tradition, but anything is possible.

"If it's successful, this might be something we do in the future and maybe on a larger scale," he said. "We are really excited about it and will see how it goes."

Parking for the celebration is available at the polo grounds and closes at 9 p.m., about 30 minutes before the fireworks are expected to start. Handicapped-accessible viewing will be available at Christ Church across the street from the grounds, 501 Oak Brook Road.

If you go

What: Oak Brook Independence Day Celebration

When: 4 to 9 p.m., July 3 Taste of Oak Brook and Butler Junior High All Class Reunion; fireworks at dusk; rain date is July 4 for fireworks.

Where: Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 31st Street and Polo Drive

Cost: Free admission; prices vary for food

Details: (630) 368-5000 or www.oak-brook.org