Lombard ready to bloom with Lilac Time events
If you're not a Lombardian, you might not understand all the hype around the village's historic Lilac Time.
But there's a simple solution if you just don't get it: Take a stroll through Lilacia Park.
“Walking through that park when the lilacs are in bloom, it's just amazing,” said Lombard Park District Program Manager Meri Niehaus.
For three weeks, residents of the Lilac Village celebrate the exquisite — and huge — collection of lilacs found in their beloved Lilacia Park, 150 S. Park Ave. in downtown Lombard. The property once was owned by Col. William Plum, who became enamored with lilacs while visiting Europe and began planting the flowers on his estate.
Several thousand people are expected to attend this year's Lilac Time events, starting with the Lilac Queen Coronation and a new wine walk Saturday, April 30. A Bloom-O-Meter at lombardlilactime.com keeps visitors informed on the flowering bushes' progress throughout the month. Celebrations culminate Sunday, May 15, with the “Time Travel”-themed Lilac Parade, which steps off at 1:30 p.m. from Main Street and Wilson Avenue.
“It's a lot of residents that do our events, but they bring in friends and family from out of town,” Niehaus said. “We try to have something for everyone.”
Anyone interested in learning more about Lilac Time is welcome to take part in a Lombard Heritage Tour. Tours begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, and 1 p.m. Sunday, May 1. Tours continue the weeks of May 2 and May 9, beginning at 1 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. A special Mother's Day tour that includes a gift for all mothers will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 8.
The tours are $4 per person and led by a Lombard Historical Society guide. They begin behind the historical society's Victorian Cottage, in the Carriage House, 23. W. Maple Ave.
Other Lilac Time staples include an art and craft fair on Sunday, May 1; a lilac bush and plant sale Thursday to Saturday, May 5 to 7; a kids day in Lilacia Park on Saturday, May 7; beer and wine tastings on Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 14; and the Lilac Mutt Strut 5K on May 14.
The events are sponsored by the village, the park district, the Lombard Historical Society, the Lombard Garden Club, the Helen Plum Library, the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and the Lombard Lilac Parade Committee.
“We all collaborate to make one big, happy, fun event for the three weeks,” Niehaus said.
Lilac Time events
<b>Saturday, April 30:</b>Lilac Queen Coronation: The 2016 Lilac Queen will be crowned during a ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. in Lilacia Park, continuing a more than 70-year-old Lombard tradition.
Concert in Lilacia Park: The Rhythm Rockets will play saxophone-driven rhythm and blues music from the late 1940s and early 1950s starting at 3 p.m. Info: (630) 620-7322.
Lilac Parade Wine Walk: Taste wines at nearly a dozen downtown businesses from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person. Info: <a href="http://www.lombardlilacparade.com/">lombardlilacparade.com</a>.
Lilac Heritage Tours: Take a guided tour of Lilacia Park for $4 per person. Info: (630) 629-1885.
• 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30
• 1 p.m. Sunday, May 1
• 1 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays, May 3 to 14
• 10 a.m. Mother's Day tour, Sunday, May 8
<b>Sunday, May 1:</b>Lilac Time Art and Craft Fair: Arts and crafts vendors will be set up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on St. Charles Road in downtown Lombard, between Main and Elizabeth streets. The event, sponsored by the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce, also includes food and a free kids zone. Info: (630) 627-5040.
<b>Tuesday, May 3:</b>Garden in a Bucket: Youth and families are invited to listen to a spring story and create a wildflower garden to bring home at 10 a.m., while overlooking Lilacia Park from the Helen Plum Library's plaza. Info: (630) 627-0316.
<b>Thursday, May 5:</b> Lilac Bush and Plant Sale: The Lombard Garden Club and the Lombard Park District will sell lilacs and a variety of perennials from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 6; and 8 a.m. until plants sell out on Saturday, May 7, at Lilacia Park. Lilac bushes are $25, lilac trees are $50. Cash and check only. Info: (630) 620-7322.
<b>Friday, May 6:</b> Beer Tasting in Lilacia Park: Sample a variety of craft beers from 7 to 9 p.m. The evening includes contests, prizes and a complimentary tasting glass. Ages 21 and older only. Register through the Lombard Park District. Cost: $23 residents, $36 others. Info: (630) 620-7322 or <a href="https://register.lombardparks.com/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/wbsplash.html?wbp=1">register.lombardparks.org</a>.
<b>Saturday, May 7:</b> Kids Day in Lilacia Park: This year's theme is “Teddy Bear Picnic,” complete with a teddy bear craft, a teddy bear first aid station and a teddy bear parade. Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans performs during the event, which runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Info: (630) 620-7322.
<b>Sunday, May 8:</b> Mother's Day Concert: Celebrate Mother's Day in Lilacia Park with a free concert at 3 p.m. by The New Invaders, who will play classic rock songs by Chicago, Janis Joplin, the Beatles, Blood, Sweat and Tears and more. Info: (630) 620-7322.
<b>Tuesday, May 10:</b> Fun With Music: Join folk singer Anna Stange at the Helen Plum Library for music and dancing at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10 and Wednesday, May 11. Families will have a chance to make music with a variety of instruments during an interactive and hands-on workshop. Info: (630) 627-0316.
<b>Friday, May 13:</b> Lilac Ball: The Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Lilac Ball begins at 6 p.m. at The Carlisle, 435 E. Butterfield Road, Lombard. Tickets are $75 per person, or $700 for a table of 10, and include dinner, dancing, open bar, raffles and a silent auction. Register at <a href="http://www.lombardchamber.com/">lombardchamber.com</a>.
<b>Saturday, May 14:</b> Lilac Time Mutt Strut 5K and 1-Mile Puppy Path: The race begins at 8 a.m. at the corner of Maple Street and Park Avenue and finishes with a pancake breakfast in Lilacia Park. Register by May 1 at <a href="">register.lombardparks.com</a> to receive a T-shirt. Cost is $23 through May 12, $28 on race day. Race-day check-in and registration starts at 6:30 a.m. You can run with or without your dog. Info: (630) 620-7322.
Lilac Garden Party: Enjoy family entertainment, garden crafts for adults and kids and refreshments at the Helen Plum Library from noon to 4 p.m. Info: (630) 627-0316.
Lilacia Park Wine Tasting: Taste samplings of white, red and dessert wines from 7 to 9 p.m. in Lilacia Park. Registration is required. Tickets are $23 for residents, $36 for others. Ages 21 and older only. Each registrant will receive a tasting glass, a punch card and a raffle ticket. Info: <a href="">register.lombardparks.com</a> or (630) 620-7322.
<b>Sunday, May 15:</b> Lilac Parade: This year's parade has the theme “Time Travel.” It steps off at 1:30 p.m. from Main Street and Wilson Avenue, in front of Glenbard East High School and marches north on Main to Maple Avenue. Info: <a href="http://www.lombardlilacparade.com/">lombardlilacparade.com</a> or (630) 415-2079.