Oak Forest Fleadh
March 10, 2012
The Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Oak Forest, will host the 3rd Annual Oak Forest Fleadh (pronounced “flah”) on Saturday, March 10th on Cicero Avenue between 151st Street and 159th Street. The Fleadh – Gaelic for “festival” – will include customer appreciation parties, a 5K race, an open bike ride, a family parade, and the 4th annual pub and restaurant open house.
Customer Appreciation Parties
Businesses along Cicero Avenue will open their doors from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to offer special promotions, free parking, refreshments, and entertainment to customers who want to find an ideal spot to watch the 5K race, open bike ride and parade.
Fleadh 5K – Register online now!
The Fleadh 5K has a challenging route down Cicero Avenue! Register online at www.signmeup.com/75622 . Participants will enjoy running down Cicero Avenue and through several streets of Oak Forest’s beautfiul 3rd Ward. The race will start at 8:30 a.m. at 159th Street and Cicero Avenue. Spectators will be able to cheer their favorite runners on at local businesses on Cicero Avenue or from their homes. More than 500 runners are expected to run the 3.1 mile course. If you are interested in volunteering as a course marshal, water station attendant, timing assistant, or refreshment stand operator, please contact Chrissy Maher at 708-687-4050, ext. 1043 or cmaher@oak-forest.org.
Open Bike Ride
The open bike ride, sponsored by the Active Transportation Alliance (ATA), will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Children and adults are welcome to ride their bikes up and down Cicero Avenue. The ATA will be promoting biking through handouts, giveaways and activities.
Family Parade
The family parade will kick off at 151st and Cicero at 11 a.m. The parade line up will include local businesses, community and civic groups, families, Irish dancers, and more. Registration is free to chamber members and community organizations. Download the registration form
Pub and Restaurant Open House
The city once again will host a pub and restaurant open house from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Free shuttle buses will make continuous stops at participating pubs and restaurants. A dial-a-ride bus also will stop at the Metra train station (159th and Cicero) and the Best Western Oak Forest Hotel. Stay tuned for a list of participating pubs and restaurants and hotel specials.
Overnight Accommodations – Book now!
The Best Western Oak Forest Hotel will be offering a special rate of $tbd, plus tax, for Fleadh-goers.
Sponsorship Information
Sponsorship opportunities are available. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Kim Malecky-Iles at 708-687-4600 or kim@oc-chamber.org .
Additional Information
During the event, alcohol will only be permitted inside designated areas such as beer tents, beer gardens, pubs, and restaurants.
Free parking will be available all day and night in the Arbor Commuter Lot at the southwest corner of 159th Street and Oak Avenue – across from the Metra train station.
Cicero Avenue, from 147th Street to 159th Street, will be closed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The city’s Emergency Management Agency will release its traffic control plan closer to the event date.
