You're certain to have a good time this weekend in Chicago Southland. Whether you’re looking for turkey-themed sports, explore the outdoors or stay inside to see a show, you will find it Just Beyond the City Limits.

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Veterans Day

Friday, November 11th
HONORING OUR VETERANS
Village Green
8901 West 123rd Street, Palos Park
(708) 671-3760
Join us in honoring our Military Veterans with a formal presentation at the Palos Park VFW Memorial followed by a luncheon and a patriotic entertainment show. Lunch is FREE for all Veterans and  $10 for all others. Please call to reserve your spot.
12-2PM

Friday, November 11th
STOCKINGS FOR OUR TROOPS
The Oaks Recreation & Fitness Center
10847 West LaPorte Road, Mokena
(708) 390-2401
Make this holiday season a memorable one for you, your family and for our troops! Gather at The Oaks Recreation & Fitness Center on Veterans Day to decorate holiday stockings for our troops overseas. Supplies will be available to decorate a stocking. DONATIONS NEEDED: We would appreciate donations of fabric, craft items and old Christmas cards to be used for this event as well as small items to be used as stocking stuffers. Stockings and donated items are then put together and shipped to the troops by “Operation Care Package”. Suggested stocking stuffers include: Protein bars, nuts, sunflower seeds, trail mix, gum, hard candy, individual drink mixes, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, razors, toothpaste, etc. A Letter Writing Station will also be available to anyone who would like to write a personal note to be included in your stocking.
10AM-3PM

Friday, November 11th
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION
Old Village Hall
20701 Governors Highway, Olympia Fields
(708) 481-7313
Show your appreciation for our active military and veterans who have fought so bravely to protect our country. The program will include community talent & speakers.
11AM-12PM

Arts & Culture

Friday, November 11th - Sunday, November 13th
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Dorothy Menker Theater at Moraine Valley Community College
Fine & Performing Arts Center
9000 West College Parkway, Palos Hills
(708) 974-5500
On Dec. 17, 1843, Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol. Now, over 170 years later, the story remains one of the most beloved of all Christmas tales – adapted countless times for film, audio, television and the stage. This year, ring in the holiday season a little early as this timeless tale comes to life in a new stage adaptation by Fine and Performing Arts Center director Tommy Hensel. Join miserly Ebenezer Scrooge as he journeys through his past, present and future to learn the lessons of love and redemption.
F-Sa 7:30PM; Su 3PM

Friday, November 11th - Sunday, November 13th
OAK LAWN COMMUNITY THEATRE PRODUCTION OF PHANTOM (YESTIN/KOPIT)
Oak View Center
4625 West 110th Street, Oak Lawn
(708) 857-2200
Phantom is a musical with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and a book by Arthur Kopit. Based on Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera. $23 for Adults and $22 for Seniors(60 & up)/Children(12 & under)
F-Sa 8PM; Su 3PM

Friday, November 11th - Sunday, November 13th
THE QUEEN OF SOUL
SPAA Theater & Performing Arts Center
350 Victory Drive, Park Forest
(708) 748-9470
A tribute to Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle & Natalie Cole

Friday, November 11th - Saturday, November 12th
BETWEEN APPOINTMENTS
Tinley Park Performing Arts Center
16801 South 80th Avenue, Tinley Park
(708) 342-4200
A hilarious 2-act comedy about Jeffrey, who gets into a tangle when his girlfriend and wife end up with identical handbags, and then the girlfriend's jailbird brother shows up to further complicate matters!
7PM

Sunday, November 13th
FINE ARTS FAIR
Crestwood Recreation Center
5331 West 135th Street, Crestwood
(708) 371-4800
Join us as we host our first FINE ART FAIR! We are hoping to gather local artists to showcase their artisan-ship and provide an opportunity to shop and celebrate the ARTS. Artists will be provided a table for a $10 donation in the spacious recreation center. Music will enhance the event and wine and cheese served to get through the cold winter's day. Painters, potters, photographers, jewelry makers, sketches and candle stick makers...
10AM-5PM

Sunday, November 13th
MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS
Governors State University Center for Performing Arts
1 University Parkway, University Park
(708) 235-2222
This Caldecott Award-winning Cinderella tale based on the book by John Steptoe celebrates goodness, generosity and love with traditional chanting, rhythmic drumming and glorious African song. When a great African king desires a wife, only the most perfect maidens in the land are invited to meet him. Mufaro’s pride and joy, his two daughters of very different dispositions, travel a half day’s journey through a mystical jungle and across a deep river to be presented to the king. Along the way the two girls encounter a number of mysterious situations that test their courage, kindness and strength of spirit.
2PM


Sunday, November 13th
JONATHAN BEYER & LIZ REITER CONCERT
Cultural Center Exhibit Hall
14760 Park Lane, Orland Park
(708) 403-7275
The Village of Orland Park Arts Commission proudly presents "An Afternoon of Opera, Musical Theater and Song" featuring Jonathan Beyer (Baritone) and Liz Reiter (Soprano). Jonathan Beyer has performed with operas, orchestras and symphonies throughout the U.S. and world-wide. American soprano Elizabeth Reiter has garnered critical acclaim for her "rich and silvery" voice (Boston Globe) and "impressive musical polish" (Opera News). This will be an afternoon you will not forget!
2-3:30PM

Eat, Drink & Be Happy

Friday, November 11th
PEOTONE FIREMAN & SPORTSMEN'S ANNUAL THANKSGIVING PARTY WITH A FISH FRY/TURKEY RAFFLE
Will County Fairgrounds
710 West Street, Peotone
(708) 258-9359
Fish Fry Dinner at $9 per person will be served from 5-7PM. The raffle will begin at 5:30PM with more than 200 Turkeys to be given away, as well as other games and prizes.
5-10PM

Explore Nature

Saturday, November 12th
OWL PROWL
Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center
20000 Western Avenue, Olympia Fields
(708) 481-2330
Owls are the most vocal this time of year as they search for a mate. We’ll learn about the nocturnal predator, go on an owl hike and end with some hot chocolate to warm up! Dress for the weather and be prepared for wet or snowy trail conditions.
6:30-8PM

Saturday, November 12th
R.I.P. WORKDAY
Little Red Schoolhouse
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Assist us with Removing Invasive Plants. Individuals and families welcome. Not suitable for ages 9 yrs. and younger. Participants 10–14 yrs. old must be accompanied by an adult.
10AM-12PM

Saturday, November 12th
A WALK THROUGH TIME ON MOUNT FOREST ISLAND
Little Red Schoolhouse
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Take a stroll back in time, and experience what life was like for cultures that lived here hundreds of years ago. Registration required. Ages 10 & up.
1:30PM

Saturday, November 12th
RADIO TELEMETRY 101
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Learn about radio telemetry and how it’s used to track local coyotes and other critters in the forest preserves. Free
1:30PM

Family Fun

Friday, November 11th
FAMILY NIGHT OUT: STARS, STORIES AND S'MORES
Swallow Cliff Stairs through Forest Preserves of Cook County
10267 Calumet Sag Road, Palos Hills
(312) 415-2970
Bring your family and friends for an opportunity to enjoy an evening in the Forest Preserves. Come join us for a cozy fire, s’mores, storytelling, astronomy, night hikes, natural material building and other nature-based activities. Free
5-8PM

Saturday, November 12th
CRAFTY KIDS DAY
Founders Community Center
140 Oak Street, Frankfort
(815) 469-9400
Drop in for some “crafty” kind of fun. Kids can make crafts, play games, watch movies and much more while parents get time to shop around the Holiday Craft & Vendor Show. No registration is required. Age: 3-8 years, $5 per child
10:30AM-1:30PM

Saturday, November 12th
PICTURES WITH SANTA
The Oaks Recreation Center
10847 West LaPorte Road, Mokena
(708) 390-2401
Santa is making a special appearance at the Park! A professional photographer will be there to take your child’s picture with the jolly old elf! Appointments recommended. Fee of $8 includes professional 5’x7’ picture. Additional packages are available for purchase. No personal cameras/camera phones allowed. Call the Park office at 708-390-2401 by noon on Friday, November 11th to reserve appointment. Walk-ins are accepted. Cash or checks are accepted on day of event.
12-3PM

Learn Something New

Saturday, November 12th
AUTISM & SPECIAL NEEDS SEMINAR
Moraine Valley Community College
9000 West College Parkway, Building M, Palos Hills
(815) 806-8844
Experts will cover a wealth of information including Q&A sessions for every speaker! Seminar will include the latest research, cutting edge therapies, strategies for coping, networking opportunities and much more!
9AM-6PM

Saturday, November 12th
HISTORY HERE BEFORE PARK FOREST WITH RICHARD STUENKEL
Park Forest Village Hall
350 Victory Drive, Park Forest
(708) 481-4252
Richard Stuenkel, descendant of one of the earliest families of Rich Township will answer questions on the early history of Rich Township.
2:30-4:30PM

Ongoing
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: SELF MADE IN AMERICA
Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis
700 East Tri-State Tollway, South Holland
(708) 596-8300
Last year the exhibit, "Abraham Lincoln: Self Made in America" came to the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis. The traveling exhibit was created by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The exhibit features eight kiosks and covers Lincoln's childhood, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, the 1860 Presidential election, the Civil War, the 13th Amendment and Emancipation Proclamation, his assassination and other important periods and events in his life. This is a temporary exhibit, so don't miss the opportunity to learn about a famous part of America's history!
Open 7 days a week

Shopping

Saturday, November 12th - Sunday, November 13th
SWAP-O-RAMA FLEA MARKET
The Great Hall at the Tri-State Swap-O-Rama
4350 West 129th Street, Alsip
(708) 344-7300
Chicagoland's most modern indoor/outdoor permanent flea market. Over 800 individual booths of merchandise at bargain prices.
7AM-4PM

Saturday, November 12th
23RD ANNUAL HOLIDAY CRAFT & VENDOR SHOW
Founders Community Center
140 Oak Street, Frankfort
(815) 469-9400
A diverse selection of crafters and vendors, including Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Origami Owl, Avon, Holiday Decorations, Premier Design Jewelry, Floral, Clothing and much more!!! This is a great time to get some holiday gifts.
9AM-3PM

Saturday, November 12th - Sunday, November 13th
ST. CHRISTOPHER HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW
St. Christopher School
14611 Keeler Avenue, Midlothian
(708) 388-8190
This two day event features over 60 crafters and vendors featuring holiday and seasonal items. Additional activities include raffles, a cafe and bakery booth.
Sa 9AM-4PM; Su 9AM-2PM

Saturday, November 12th
INDOOR GARAGE SALE
Orland Park Civic Center
14750 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park
(708) 403-7275
Come out for a huge, indoor community garage sale! The event raises funds for the Special Recreation program.
9AM-1PM

Saturday, November 12th
CRAFT SHOW
Will County Fairgrounds
710 West Street, Peotone
(708) 417-1789
Start your holiday shopping now at the Will County Fairgrounds.
8AM

Sports

Sunday, November 13th
TURKEY SHOOT 4 PERSON SCRAMBLE
Stony Creek Golf, Restaurant & Banquets
5850 West 103rd Street, Oak Lawn
(708) 857-2433
Please join us for our annual Turkey Shoot. The entry fee covers green fee, cart fee, lunch and prizes. Sign up as a team or we’ll pair you with other contestants. $35 Fee per player covers green fees, cart fees, lunch and prizes. Entry Deadline: Forms and Fee must be received by Wednesday, November 9th.
9AM shotgun start

Sunday, November 13th
22ND ANNUAL TURKEY SHOOT FREE-THROW CONTEST
Community Pavilion
9401 South Oak Park Avenue, Oak Lawn
(708) 857-2420
Parents and kids will win a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner at our Annual Turkey Shoot. Teams will be made up of one parent and one child and will be grouped by the child’s age. Parents may compete with more than one child. Each team member will get 10 free throws. The teams that make the most shots will win in each division. Raffle prizes for all children. All ages are welcome. Register in advance. The younger children will use mini-basketballs and nets. (Age: 4 & up w/parent)
11AM-1PM

If you’re planning further ahead, please check our calendar of events.

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