Fall On the Green 2012 Survival Guide

In case you haven’t noticed the tents popping up on 95th Street it’s that time of year again. Oak Lawn’s 17th annual Fall On the Green Festival kicks off this weekend—Sept. 7, Sept. 8 and Sept. 9—on the Village Green at 95th Street and Cook Avenue. Admission and rides are entirely free.

Patch will be popping in and posting photos and updates throughout the weekend, so check back often.

We’ve got your including the band lineup, kids bathtub races and other tips to make Fall on the Green 2012 more enjoyable without ending up in the Patch police blotter.

DOWNLOAD the brochure to Fall On the Green 2012.

New this year is the teen water ball pond in the Fifth Third Bank Teen Area. Teens climb into giant plastic bubbles and roll around in the water.

The fest also marks the return of such favorites as the bathtub racers, a whole slew of giant inflatibles and things to bounce around on, Ferris wheel, interactive Batman and 24-foot climing wall.

The Rundown:

• Times: 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 7; 11-12:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 8; and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9.

• Parking/shuttle bus: Free parking is available at the Oak Lawn Metra Station parking tower at 95th Street and Museum Drive. A free shuttle bus courtesy of the Village of Oak Lawn will leave every quarter hour beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Board the bus next to the train station parking tower.

• Food: Bring your appetite to Fall on the Green’s Hawk Ford Food Court featuring a wide selection of fair food including hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage, Italian Beef, Polish sausage, pizza, Chinese specialties, boneless rib sandwiches, gyros, shish kabobs, ice cream and desserts. What fest would be complete without cotton candy, nachos, corndogs and elephant ears. Soft drinks also are available.

• Adult beverages: Stop by the Budweiser Beer Garden for your favorite domestic, microbrews and wine. Watch the games on big screen TVs, buy raffle tickets and enjoy live music.
• Arts and Crafts: Get in some early holiday shopping in the Grobe Realtors’ Arts and Crafts area held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at its new location near the Masonic Temple. The show features some of the finest Midwestern crafters and artisans.

• Children’s Activities: Kids won’t get bored when the see the array of children’s activities in the Mancari Children’s Area, including games, inflatable rides, face painting, a tattoo parlor, and everyone’s favorite – THE BATHTUB RACES! The bathtub races run for the duration of the fest. No sideline betting, please.

• Teen Activies – The Fifth Third Bank teen area features the brand new water ball pond, climbing wall and bungee run.
• Business tent: Learn why it’s best to shop in Oak Lawn by visiting the Business Tent featuring many the village’s vibrant small businesses and other fine area vendors.

• Entertainment: The music is non-stop on Fall On the Green’s at the Budwesier Beer Garden, Gazebo and Republic Services Main Stage. There is a genre for every musical taste in your family, from alternative rock and the classic oldies to Bon Jovi tribute bands.

Da Bands:

FRIDAY SEPT. 7

• Nice Guy Eddies, 6-7:30 p.m., Beer Garden (rock and roll)
• CTA, 7:30-10 p.m., Main Stage (Chicago tribute)
• Tumbling Dice, 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Beer Garden (Rolling Stones tribute)

SATURDAY SEPT. 8

• Digs and Fitz, noon-1:30 p.m., Beer Garden (rock)
• Chicago Music Machine 1:30-3 p.m. Main Stage (Party Music)
• The World of Kevin 3-4:30 p.m. Beer Garden (Rock, Pop, Country)
• The Opinions 4:30-6:00 p.m. Main Stage (Pop Covers)
• Sean & Charlie 6-7:30 p.m. Beer Garden (Classic Rock)
• Infinity 7:30-10 p.m. Main Stage (Journey Tribute)
• Rendition 10-12:30 a.m. Beer Garden (Pop/Party Music)

SUNDAY, SEPT. 9

• Identity Crisis noon-2 p.m. Beer Garden (Rock Covers)
• The Dancing Noodles 2-4:30 p.m. Main Stage (Rock & Soul)
• Slippery When Wet 4:30-7 p.m. Beer Garden (Bon Jovi Tribute)
• Tramps Like Us 7-9:30 p.m. Main Stage (Springsteen Tribute)