TP_071317

tinleyjunction.com Life & Arts
the tinley junction | July 13, 2017 | 17
‘125 Amplified’ reflects on Village of Tinley Park’s rich history
Brittany Kapa, Assistant Editor
The Village of Tinley Park
has developed a long and
rich history over the last 125
years.
From humble German
roots, the original village
of New Bremen eventually
changed its name to Tinley
Park in honor of Samuel
Tinley, the first train station
attendant. In June of 1892,
those in the town voted to
incorporate and since that
point, the village has been
known as Tinley Park.
Lifelong residents, such
as Brad Bettenhausen, have
seen firsthand the growth
Tinley Park has made
throughout the last few decades.
“In my youth, the population
of the town was about
6,000 people,” Bettenhausen
wrote in an email to The
Junction. “Harlem Avenue
was not a through street until
the late 1960s. It existed
for short stretches between
183rd Street and 143rd
Street.”
That same train station
Samuel Tinley worked at
has helped to develop Tinley
Park from a small village
of less than 1,000 people at
the time of its incorporation
in 1892 to one that has over
60,000 residents.
“We now have a lot more
choices in styles and sizes of
homes,” Bettenhausen said
about the town’s growth.
“We also have a lot of shopping
opportunities as well as
a lot more opportunities for
employment within the community
than [what] existed
when I was younger.”
They say it’s your birthday
To honor those vast
changes, the Village of Tinley
Park is changing up this
year’s annual block party.
Originally known as the
Caribbean Block Party, the
World War II soldiers gathered at Saenger Hall in 1946 for a
night of music and dancing in honor of their service.
summer bash held along Oak
Park Avenue has provided
entertainment for the young
and old.
However, this particular
theme did not seem to fitting
of Tinley’s milestone.
Thus, the idea for “125
Amplified” was born.
“125 Amplified” is open
to the public, and festivities
are to take place from noon
to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 16.
“Combining a birthday
and a Caribbean theme
doesn’t really make a whole
lot of sense,” said Vicki Sanchez,
special events coordinator.
“We wanted to do
something special to mark
the 125th birthday [of the
Village].”
The name is indicative of
two things near and dear to
Tinley’s heart – the first being
the village’s history. The
the second is a nod to the village’s
involvement in music
and entertainment.
“125 Amplified” also joins
in on the village’s recent effort
to re-brand Tinley Park
into a music center. Sanchez
said that the timing of the
two events just fit together
well.
“We’ll have some new
brand-awareness banners
and things like that, so to be
able to push that out at the
same time as [the celebration]
is great,” Sanchez said.
Many local businesses
around Tinley Park are lending
their services to providing
interesting and musicthemed
activities throughout
the day.
“All of our Tinley Park
dance studios are involved,”
Sanchez said, adding every
studio has a special activity
for children to partake in.
Inflatables, crafts and a
zip line – which costs $8 to
participate – are just some of
the fun activities planned for
the younger residents.
Interactive activities will
also be available at the party.
Sanchez added one fun
activity, which is new this
year, will get a little help
from local boutique salon,
The Station. Residents can
get a rockstar hairstyle and
pose for photos in front of a
green screen that will reflect
a superimposed concert.
And that’s just the beginning.
“We have House of Music
that will be doing a drum circles
from noon until 4 p.m.,”
Sanchez said. “That is something
else that is totally different
that we’ve never done
before.
“What’s kind of cool about
that, too, is you don’t have
to have any musical experience
at all. So, you can just
jump in and [House of Music
staff] will instruct you on
what to do with the different
percussion instruments that
they’re bringing.”
Plenty of live music will
round out the day’s activities.
The Illinois Battle of
This 1943 photo depicts a mound of metal that was collected from a metal drive as part of
the ongoing efforts of Tinley Park residents to help during World War II. Photos Submitted
the Bands will be hosting
its Tinley Park leg of the
competition for local youth
bands. Other performers
include Midnight, Blooze
Brother and Bella Cain. Former
“American Idol” contestant
Gina Glocksen is to
perform her act as the Gina
Glocksen Band.
Every detail has been
thought of – even down to
the decorations. With the
help of the historical society,
Sanchez was able to feature
photos that showcase the
great musical talent that has
set foot in Tinley Park over
the years.
“The historical society
was awesome sending us
pictures,” she said. “I specifically
asked for music related
pictures to use throughout
our branding process and for
various projects.”
And those images can be
seen printed on balloons
near the stage.
“What I’m excited about
is trying to get other people
excited about the fact that
Tinley Park is 125 years
old,” Sanchez said. “It’s really
something to celebrate.”
Attention Builders:
Advertise with
22nd Century Media
Reach 92,000+ Southwest Suburban homes.
®
Contact
Lora Healy
708.326.9170 ext. 31
l.healy@22ndcenturymedia.com