Buffalo Grove turning 50

A celebration of Buffalo Grove's half-century will kick off with birthday cake and a card of sorts for residents to sign in honor of the village.

An open house will be held at village hall between 1 and 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday to honor the town's incorporation on March 7, 1958.

Besides the celebratory cake, a video put together by the 50th anniversary committee will be playing to give residents a glimpse into the village's past.

The video features people like Joan Kuffel, who designed the Buffalo Grove flag, and Mike Terson, who grew up in town and came back to live in Buffalo Grove and work for the park district.

Residents can also sign a scroll that will be put into a time capsule during this year's Buffalo Grove Days over Labor Day weekend. That capsule will be opened in 25 years for the village's 75th anniversary.

The town will continue to celebrate turning 50 for the rest of the year, including with a bigger open house in April that will showcase village departments and have free food.

"My goal was to have some celebrations that every single person in the community could be proud of," said Jan Sirabian, village clerk and head of the 50th anniversary committee. "I think there's something in there for everybody, if they're interested."

One of the year's big events will be in June, when the committee hosts a car show and sock hop.

Buffalo Grove Days will also have a '50s theme, and the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band and the BG Singers will combine their efforts for a concert in August.

The park district will join in with a production of "Music Man" in July, which was the Tony-award winning musical in 1958.

Residents will also receive a historical booklet the committee has put together with information on the various organizations in town and photographs since 1958.

"We did a lot of legwork and hunting down people to get this information," Sirabian said.

Those interested in even more history can visit the Raupp Museum for a "Fabulous Fifties in Buffalo Grove" exhibit.

For more information on the events this weekend or on the anniversary celebration, call village hall, located at 50 Raupp Blvd., at (847) 459-2500 or visit www.vbg.org.

Buffalo Grove 50th anniversary events

Saturday and Sunday: Open house from 1 to 4 p.m. at village hall with cake, a scroll that will be put in time capsule and historical video

April 27:Open house on village campus with historical displays and free food

June 21: Car show and sock hop on village campus with Dick Biondi as master of ceremonies

July 18-20, 25-27: "Music Man" production by the Buffalo Grove Park District

Aug. 3: Combined Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band and BG Singers concert and ice cream social

Labor Day weekend: Buffalo Grove Days with a 50th anniversary twist