Taste of Des Plaines works to be in tune with economic challenges

Des Plaines resident Jim Wozny began volunteering with the city's Special Events Commission six years ago after former Mayor Tony Arredia encouraged him to get involved.

He is working with the commission to put on this weekend's Taste of Des Plaines, in addition to his role as chairman of the New Years Eve on the Plaza event.

The Special Events Commission is comprised entirely of volunteers and Chairman Linda Forman said she does not know what the city would do without them.

With the support of other community organizations, like the chamber of commerce, the library and the History Center, the Special Events Commission was able to add several events to this year's taste without making any cuts. This will be the ninth year for the festival.

"It says a lot for the commission to be able to do this and to do this locally for the community," Forman said.

By providing their services for free, volunteers allow the taste to keep admission prices down, said Gayle Mountcastle, the park district's superintendent of recreation and special events commissioner.

Mountcastle became a part of the special events commission four years ago at Forman's request. Mountcastle was the first representative from the park district on the commission. She said she helps promote partnerships between the commission and other Des Plaines organizations.

In the past, the city paid for public works employees and policemen to work overtime but it is not doing so this year in a budget-cutting move. The Special Events Commission had to pick up those additional costs, making the event more expensive to stage than in years past.

To avoid overtime, the police department has arranged for employees to take time off during the week. The public works department is doing the same thing with half of its employees working at the Taste. In addition, the Des Plaines library is paying for some of the entertainment.

"It just goes to show you what a great community we do live in in Des Plaines," said Wozny.

He and Forman said they expect more people are going to be attending events in their communities, rather than spend money to travel. The event has drawn between 20,000 and 25,000 people in previous years.

"The biggest thing in today's economy it just gives - the residents, something to do - to get out and enjoy the events that we put on," Wozny said.

Forman said the event is fun for people of all ages. Young children can enjoy arts and crafts provided by the park district, as well as a moonwalk. Teenagers can take part in a bungee run and utilize a climbing wall. Adults can enjoy the Art Guild's 56th Annual Art Fair. People of all ages can enjoy the entertainment and carnival games.

The park district is hosting a 5K run and a 50 yard dash for kids. The funds from the "Chase of the Taste" help underprivileged children attend summer camps and participate in extracurricular activities during the year.

"We try to gear the whole thing for a family," Forman said. "I try to have something there for everybody."

Wozny said is would be impossible to count the number of hours the Special Events Commission puts into such events, but that Forman has spent every evening for the last two months planning the Taste.

"I think it's just awesome that Des Plaines has such an active volunteer commission," Forman said. "We put this on from the goodness of our hearts."

Events schedule

Friday, June 5

6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Beer tent

6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Safes perform

8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Mike & Jo perform

Saturday, June 6

8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Chase to the Taste (6:30-7:40 registration)

11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Beer tent

12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Bungee run, moon walk

1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Face painting by Diane

1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Des Plaines Public Library Story Tent at the History Center

12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Storyteller Linda Gorham

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Galina Dance Studio

2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Barefoot Hawaiians

5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Heartache Tonight (an Eagles Tribute band)

7:45 p.m. to 11 p.m. Hi Infedility performs

Sunday, June 7

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beer tent

12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bungee run, moon walk

1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Climbing wall by Lattof YMCA

1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Des Plaines Public Library Story Tent at the History Center

12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Storyteller Marcia Gutierrez

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Galina Dance Studio

2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Barefoot Hawaiians

5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Brit Beat performs

Des Plaines Public Library Story Tent at the History Center

Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Miracle of Magic by Trent Rivas

2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Stories and songs with YS staff

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>Dates and times:</b> Friday, June 5 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, June 6 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday June 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.</p> <p class="News"><b>Fees:</b> There are no admission fees but food, drinks and tickets for carnival games can be purchased</p> <p class="News"><b>Parking:</b> Available at Metropolitan Square, the Des Plaines library and on the street</p>