Live music, delicious food and a choice of kids’ activities should be enough to lure families to the Taste of Orland Park from Aug. 6 to 8.

The fest will be held on the Village Green and in the Civic Center.

“This is our 18th year hosting the Taste,” said Ray Piattoni, Recreation and Parks Director with the Village of Orland Park. “We have two stages, a main stage and a community stage, with entertainment all three days. We also have a kids’ day component which used to be just Saturday but has expanded to two days. And we have a car show on Sunday.”

Headlining the main stage at the Taste of Orland Park will be ‘80s tribute act Sixteen Candles on Aug. 6, popular party band 7th Heaven on Aug. 7 and Beatles tribute American English on Aug. 8, special events manager Doreen Biela said.

“And we have some special activities happening on the community stage,” she said. “Friday night, we have a new thing we’re calling Tropics at the Taste. It’s kind of a two-part thing. The first part is an interactive Polynesian dance and hula show where the kids will get to have some fun and do that.

“That’s from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. Then at 7:45 to 9:45 p.m., they go from the community stage right next door to the Civic Center and watch the Disney movie, ‘Moana.’ ”

People are encouraged to wear their best tropical and Hawaiian wear — think grass skirts, patterned shirts and flowered leis. There will even be a Best Dressed contest with winner receiving pool passes to the Orland Park Pool.

Another kid’s activity will be the new Orland Park Children’s Theatre Troupe Variety Show from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 8. It’s an opportunity for the children’s theater to show off their skills and have some fun, she said.

The kids’ zone has been expanded to two days, from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 7 and 8, and features lots of interactive activities, Piattoni said. The kids’ zone will be on the main grounds near Village Hall and the Franklin Loebe Center parking lot on both days.

“One great thing about the kids’ zone is that everything is free,” said Jean Petrow, Recreation and Park Division Manager for Programs. “That’s really good for parents to bring their kids out and not have to keep laying out money for these activities.”

Many community groups will do demonstrations and activities for the kids, she said. In addition, there will be bounce houses, face painting, a touch-a-truck, pony rides and games.

When hunger strikes, look no further than the nearly one dozen restaurants at the festival.

Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant, Mo’s Chinese Kitchen, Brass Tap, Pueblito, Square Celt Ale House and Grill, Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery, Beggars Pizza, Stan’s Donuts and Coffee, Chuy’s Tex Mex, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Barraco’s Pizza are confirmed, said Allison Cann, Recreation and Parks Division Manager for Special Events.

There will be picnic tables in front of the restaurant aisles, a beer garden and lawn seating in front of the stage, she said.

The Orland Park Kiwanis and Lions clubs will offer bingo on Aug. 7 and 8. Trivia fans will want to be in the Civic Center from 2 to 6 p.m. Aug. 7 for an afternoon of trivia; including the topics “Parks and Recreation,” “Pixar,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “‘90s Movies.”

At 7 p.m. Aug. 7 on the main stage, there will be a tribute to Orland Park’s veterans, Piattoni said. It’s a chance to recognize local veterans for their bravery and service, he said.

“It’s a great opportunity … for honored guests to get onstage and acknowledge the different branches of the military, including the new Space Force,” Biela said.

“We have some vocal tribute groups and guest speakers. We ask the veterans to stand and be recognized and it’s a very satisfying and humbling experience.”

Other main stage entertainment acts include Rock Star Rodeo on Aug. 6; blues singer Linsey Alexander, the Blooze Brothers (complete with their Blooze Mobile) and live band karaoke on Aug. 7, and the Rhythm Rockets and Arra on Aug. 8.

Piattoni said he thinks festgoers will enjoy every aspect of the Taste.

“We have a great lineup of music all three days. We have terrific restaurants that are going to have a variety of different food and beverage menu options,” he said.

A car show will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 8 in the John Humphrey parking lot at 14825 West Ave. It’s $20 a car to show and free for spectators.

“We think the car show will be a hit,” Piattoni said.

The Taste of Orland Park got its start as a way to celebrate the community, he said.

“It really does have that feel like it’s a big neighborhood block party,” he said. “Families come out, all ages, with their kids and everybody feels very safe. It still retains that neighborhood feel, that community feel. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate community and have a lot of fun in a variety of different ways.”

“It gives people a chance to get out of the house, especially for those that have been more cautious during the last year,” Biela said. “Most of it is free, you get to enjoy the outdoors and feel a little bit of normalcy again.”

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.