Traditionally, the Deerfield area gathers as a community several times a year.
There’s the two-day Family Days for the Fourth of July, Harvest Fest in the fall and the annual Winter Celebration in early December.
None of those events took place over the last 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But some normalcy was restored over the weekend when village officials and community groups combined elements of Family Days and Harvest Fest for two days of celebration.
Thousands of people participated in activities that included a community picnic capped by fireworks, a road race, the Deerfield Historical Society’s annual event at the Historic Village and a farmers market with a touch-a-truck event Saturday and Sunday at assorted Deerfield locations.
“This is a mash up,” said Vicki Street, executive director of the Deerfield Bannockburn Riverwoods Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a mash up of Family Days and Harvest Fest right here. It was great to bring everyone together.”
Deerfield Mayor Dan Shapiro said the village was forced to cancel Family Days by late winter because there was a belief it could not be safely held with the continuing spread of COVID-19. As restrictions started to ease, officials began looking for a way to hold a community celebration.
Planning started in May with an emphasis on outdoor events where people could gather safely with a lot of space. Instead of the music, food and fireworks normally seen on the opening day of Family Days July 3 at Brickyards Park, it was moved to the larger Shepherd Park.
“I couldn’t believe how big it is,” Shapiro said. “We wanted to find a way to have everyone come together in an event to celebrate our village. We wanted everything outside and spread out so we could social distance. We found a way.”
While people were shopping at the farmers market, at the north end were fire trucks, public works trucks, a police car, a garbage truck and more large vehicles where youngsters could climb aboard. It has been part of Harvest Fest in the past, but it was special this time.
Karen Darden, a 34-year Deerfield resident was at the touch-a-truck event with her daughter, Ashley Waltz, and grandsons Logan Waltz and Derek Waltz. All three generations live in the village.
“I get to see my grandkids every day,” Darden said. “I remember when Ashley (Waltz) was their age at Family Days.”
“This is a great idea,” Waltz said of the combined Family Days and Harvest Fest. “It’s great to be outside with people having fun again,” she added referring to the pandemic-imposed separation.
As Logan and Derek were sitting on the bumper of a large fire truck, Deerfield Bannockburn Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Ray Larson was putting a helmet on Logan’s head and a jacket on Derek so their mother and grandmother could take pictures. Logan helpfully put the helmet on Derek’s head.
“He had the sun in his eyes,” Logan explained.
While their children and grandchildren were awaiting fireworks at Shepard Park Saturday night, Paige Horan, who grew up in Deerfield, and her parents, Greg Meagher and Lori Meagher, were visiting together in the beer tent. Horan’s husband was tending to the youngest generation.
“This is a wonderful community,” Greg Meagher said.
“Last year we couldn’t do this,” added Lori Meagher. “It’s good to have everyone together.”
Along with food and fireworks Saturday night, there were carnival games where Kipling first grader Blake Cohen rang a bell with a large hammer.
“It felt good,” Blake said as he clutched his prize.
“It’s nice to see people again like this outside,” added Jared Cohen, Blake’s father. “It’s been more than a year.”
The annual Fourth of July Rotary 5K and 10K race, not held a year ago, took place Sunday as did the historical society’s festival at the Historic Village.
Steve Sadin is a freelance reporter.
