Island Lake to celebrate 60th anniversary
Island Lake residents and village leaders will celebrate the town's 60th anniversary next weekend with pie-eating contests, a classic-car show and other old-fashioned events.
The activities were designed to remind people what life was like in 1950, the year the community voted to incorporate as Island Lake, said longtime resident and trustee Connie Mascillino.
"It's a time for the entire community to come together and enjoy the fact that we are as old as we are," Mascillino said.
The party is planned for Saturday, Oct. 9, at Converse Park, which is on Route 176 at Westridge Drive. It will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and admission is free.
The village's origins were controversial, Mascillino said. Residents were split over whether the community should be incorporated; one group was opposed to the idea because of a fear of rising taxes and other concerns, she said.
The community voted on Feb. 11, 1950, and the measure passed by eight votes but the results were disputed.
The vote was made official in June 1952, only after one resident gathered more than 600 signatures more than half the population at the time to prove to a Lake County judge that people wanted to incorporate, Mascillino said.
Saturday's family-friendly activities shouldn't be that contentious.
Kids can check out a police car, a fire truck and other municipal vehicles in a touch-a-truck event set to run from 10 a.m. to noon.
Pie-eating contests are scheduled for 1 and 3 p.m. The first event is for contestants ages 13 to 20, and the second is for eaters 21 or older.
A $1 entry fee is required for the contests, as is advanced registration at village hall or on the village website, villageofislandlake.com.
A classic car show will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Registration packets will be available at the event, and winners will be announced after 3 p.m.
Additionally, a bags tournament is set for 1:30 p.m., and a community photograph will be taken at 2 p.m.
Food will be for sale at 1950s prices from noon to 6 p.m. A DJ will play old-fashioned tunes during that time as well, Mascillino said.