Even the pandemic couldn't stop Northbrook's flamingos from returning

They gather every summer.

A flock of flamingos in the Village of Northbrook.

As they have since the casual weekly get-togethers were first hatched in 2009, this summer Flamingo Fridays will draw neighborhood residents together to just be themselves and enjoy each other's company.

A map of the residences featuring the decorated flamingos will be posted on the Village of Northbrook website starting Friday, June 19.

"How we have tracked our flock in the past is we have an aerial map in Village Hall where people attend our events, and Sarah would track it with push pins. That way we didn't double-up in sending a half-dozen flamingos to the same development," Bruckman said.

"Each year that map just grew and grew and grew."

Typically, it kicks off around Memorial Day and extends on Fridays through Labor Day. This year, COVID-19 pushed a drive-through distribution on Shermer Road of 200 of everyone's favorite pink, plastic lawn ornaments to June 5.

But it came right on time.

"It's finally going to give people a reason where they can still socialize within the COVID-19 restrictions and get out and enjoy some fresh air and socialize with their neighbors," said Elliot Bruckman, who has participated with the Northbrook Community Relations Commission and Flamingo Fridays for more than a decade.

Initially drawn to the commission as a liaison for Temple Beth-El, Bruckman "got more engaged as time went on," he said.

Flamingo Fridays is all about engagement.

"The flamingo definitely represents neighborhood gatherings" in Northbrook, said fellow Community Relations Commissioner Sarah Kroeschell. "Though we still have our guidelines we still want people to know we look out for each other."

Both commissioners noted that with families hosting gatherings throughout the village, Flamingo Fridays also serves as an extension of a neighborhood watch program. It seems even more important under a pandemic situation, which will initially necessitate limiting gatherings to groups of 10, maintaining social distancing and wearing protective masks.

"We just wanted to make sure we reached out to the community in a responsible way to emphasize that we are all in this together," Kroeschell said.

The concept is simple. Starting by displaying their flamingo early in the week to provide notice to neighbors, the host provides the driveway while guests bring lawn chairs, beverages and snacks. Gatherings can last 30 minutes or, like many a fun party, hours.

Sometime during the proceedings a resident will take the host's flamingo and start the process anew. The time is generally around 6 p.m. Friday, but both time and day can be altered to accommodate people.

"The idea is to build a stronger neighborhood," said Kroeschell, who has enjoyed two cracks at it. First, as a social mother of school children then, after downsizing homes, with new neighbors.

There is a twist to the 2020 effort.

"We wanted to be a little more visual," Kroeschell said.

Challenge accepted with Flamingos on Parade. Modeled after the popular "Cows on Parade" painted sculpture series, in tandem with the Northbrook Arts Commission interested residents were able to paint or decorate a flamingo with a design of their own choosing for display in their yard, porch or window.

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