After a successful first installment, the Village of Oak Park will be holding its second annual Civic Engagement Festival this May, aiming to promote “Democracy in Action!”, the event’s subtitle.
The Festival celebrates Public Service Recognition Week and Professional Municipal Clerks Week, and aims to bring together local leaders and community organizations with everyday residents. Informational displays and experiences will highlight how local government functions and how people can get involved. Attendees can also learn about horticulture and take a “tree walk” with an expert arborist.
The day will open with welcome remarks followed by a Youth Mock Government exercise, where young people can roleplay as leaders in the Village’s government. This exercise will be followed by a discussion panel and “community conversation” led by experts from Oak Park University. Volunteers and organizations will be recruited to support the event through an online application.
Other activities will be available throughout the afternoon, including arts and crafts, a library table, live music, and representatives from the Oak Park Police and Fire Departments. Local organizations and services will have resource tables and family-friendly activities. Exhibitors at events like this often use methods like brochure printing to help better explain their role in the community.
The 2026 Civic Engagement Festival will take place on the afternoon of May 3 at Village Hall. Admission will be free to all visitors.
