Civic Engagement Festival returns to Village Hall on May 3rd
Published on April 21, 2026
In celebration of Public Service Recognition Week and the 57th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week, the Village of Oak Park and Village Clerk Christina M. Waters will host the second annual Civic Engagement Festival centered around the theme “Democracy in Action!” The event will take place on Sunday, May 3 from noon until 4 p.m. in the courtyard at Village Hall (123 Madison St.). In the event of inclement weather, the festival will be held indoors at Village Hall.
"The Civic Engagement Festival remains one of my favorite days on the calendar,” said Waters. “It’s a chance for every Oak Parker, young and old, to see democracy in action and feel the energy of a community that genuinely shows up for one another. This year, that spirit matters more than ever. We're bringing together the organizations, the voices and the passion that make our community remarkable and I can't wait to see our Village fill the neighborhoods with purpose."
“This is a fun, hands-on event where youth and adults can better learn how to get involved and support our local municipal government through civic engagement,” said Jenna Holzberg, Oak Park resident and event volunteer. “Government works best when residents are actively involved. From volunteering on one of the Village’s commissions, to sharing public comment at a Village Board meeting or connecting with other community organizations, there are so many wonderful ways to get involved and support our beautiful and diverse community. We are so excited to see to at this year’s festival.”
This free event for people of all ages is aimed at bringing the community together in an uplifting and informative way. Among the day’s scheduled activities are welcoming remarks from Village President Vicki Scaman and Village Manager Kevin J. Jackson, a mock government session and Village Board meeting for youth in Council Chambers (room 201), poster-making station, youth performances, a tree walk hosted by the Village Forester, gardening tips, music, food and more.
In addition to the activities listed above, numerous Village departments and community partners are expected to be on hand to share information and distribute helpful resources about services with residents. Organizations and vendors that would like to participate and having a presence at the Civic Engagement Festival are invited to click here to complete an interest form.
For more information, please contact the Village Clerk’s Office at clerk@oak-park.us or 708.358.5670.
Click here to learn more about Public Service Recognition Week.
Click here to learn more about the 57th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week.
About Oak Park - The Village of Oak Park, located just nine miles west of downtown Chicago, offers a distinctive urban/suburban lifestyle in a thriving, multi-cultural community. Well-known for progressive values, tree-lined streets and bustling business districts, Oak Park serves as an ideal place to live, work and play. As a longstanding community of choice, the Village benefits from convenient access to local and regional transit, high-quality public schools, and arts and cultural attractions, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio and his acclaimed Unity Temple, which was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.