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Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association participants celebrate at Summer Bash

Posted August 27, 2018 11:00 pm

Submitted by Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association

Local artist Amy Lee of Face Art by Amy Lee delighted attendees with unique and vibrant face painting designs. Courtesy of Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association

Lightning may have cut the evening short at last week's Summer Bash, the annual end-of-summer party hosted by Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association, but participants, families and supporters soaked up every last minute of fun and sunshine before heading home.

"Summer Bash is one of my favorite evenings every year," said Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association Executive Director Craig Culp. "Our participants know how to celebrate life, and they show us all how to enjoy life to the fullest, even under threat of thunderstorms."

Taking place Wednesday, Aug. 13, more than 300 people gathered at Techny Prairie Park in Northbrook for food, live music from band Recycle the Day and one last party together to mark summer's end.

Attendees also enjoyed playing lawn games, balloon art from Nick Connell and creative face painting from artist Amy Lee.

"Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association participants came ready to dance the night away," said Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association Recreation Specialist Abby Whalen.

"The band even jumped off the stage to join the dance party. It was so great to see how much fun everyone was having."

"Summer Bash goes on every year rain or shine, with the one exception being lightning," Culp said. "This year we got some sunshine, a little rain, and then finally had to call it a night after lightning was spotted and storms became imminent. Even with all of that, we still had a great time."

Founded in 1970, Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association serves approximately 1,600 children, teens and adults with disabilities living in its partner communities throughout the Northern suburbs.

With more than 500 recreation, sport, cultural and social offerings available during the day, after school, in the evenings and on weekends, Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association is dedicated to creating new experiences, opportunities for leisure time, skill development and, perhaps most importantly, friendship.

"We can't wait for next year's Summer Bash, and hopefully the weather will cooperate," Whalen said. "Either way, the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association family knows how to have a blast, rain or shine."

The evening was sponsored by the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association Foundation, allowing participants, families and staff to attend for free.

Local business and family sponsors included the Slotnick Family of Northbrook (Presenting Sponsor), Call One (Tent Sponsor), D&R Autoworks of Highland Park (Dinner Sponsor), By Your Side - Autism Therapy Services (Photography Sponsor) and Trane (Photography Sponsor).

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Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association participant Tim Siebert (Lake Bluff), State Representative Laura Fine, Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association Executive Director Craig Culp, James Gromoshak (Highwood), and Stephanie Brandwein (Highland Park) enjoy the evening at Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association's 2018 Summer Bash. Courtesy of Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association

Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association participant Matt La Chapelle of Wilmette dances to the music of local band Recycle the Day. Courtesy of Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association

Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association participant JC Pujals of Glenview with mom Catherine just after dinner at Techny Prairie Park in Northbrook. Courtesy of Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association

The Hoynes family of Winnetka celebrates with ice cream at Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association's 2018 Summer Bash. Courtesy of Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association

Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association part-time staff Salena Jason (Northbrook), Jay Slotnick (Northbrook) and Luke Greenebaum (Highland Park) enjoy the rhythms of Recycle the Day just before lightning was spotted and closed out the night. Courtesy of Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association

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