Tinley Park debuted its long-awaited Harmony Square plaza Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, dozens of food and drink vendors, speeches by elected officials, special deals on village merchandise for residents and a concert by the rock band BoDeans.

Thousands of residents packed the square, and several security guards working the event said lines to all three entrances spanned several blocks for almost three hours.

Residents, including families, teenagers and retired longtime residents, praised the event for bringing the community together, but said some flaws still need to be worked out, such as long entrance lines and parking.

Mark Michalow, who has lived in Tinley Park for 36 years, said the square is “exactly what was needed” in the community, noting it was the largest community gathering he has seen in the village. He said he’s excited to go for walks at the square and said the space could make community events like the annual block party easier and more convenient.

“Finally we got a mayor who finished this,” Michalow said.

Yet he said when he left the event to get his phone, he waited over an hour in line to get back in, and said he’s concerned about parking.

Roy Geiger, a longtime Tinley Park resident, said he also waited in line for over an hour and said he had trouble finding parking, which he said showed a lack of preparation.

“I’ve lived in this town for 48 years and was looking forward to this, but it’s total disorganization,” Geiger said. “The whole town is grid locked. … I went through less security to see The Rolling Stones.”

Patti Bagus, who lives in Palos Heights but has been driving to Tinley Park concerts for years, said despite being in line for over an hour, she found parking down the street easily. She said she plans to visit more often due to the square’s opening and good restaurants.

Hudson McCormick, who has two young children, said the square is “perfect for the kids,” as the space is family-oriented and gives them something to do close to home.

His wife, Jordan McCormick, who grew up in Tinley Park, said the square makes her excited to invite more people to the area.

“I feel like Tinley Park was kind of always viewed as older and now it’s just so bright and new,” McCormick said.

“It’s something to brag about, honestly, and it gets people out here and more familiar with Tinley Park.”A group of teenagers entering the square said they want to attend more events now that the space is open. Zoe Lavery, 19, said she hopes the village brings in more younger bands, and Ryan Mitchell, 19, said she’s excited to use Harmony Square’s synthetic ice rink in the winter.

Village spokesman Jason Freeman said he expected 7,500 people to attend the event. By early Friday morning, he said, groups of curious, excited residents started visiting the square, and some children played in the water feature, which brought a large enough crowd that officials had to turn the feature off while preparing for the event, he said.

By noon, people had set up lawn chairs and picnic blankets in preparation for the concert.

Freeman said he’s excited for the community to have an adaptable space, which can expand for larger concerts like the BoDeans, but also still accommodate smaller events like a farmers market, yoga and light shows.

Carolyn Mitera, who does Tinley Park marketing and economic development, said there was great energy when she arrived Friday morning, as staff were excited and helping each other finalize event preparation.

The village’s recently opened popular Irish bar, Teehan’s, and the next door restaurant, Durbin’s, also joined the square’s debut celebrations. By early afternoon, many of the tables on Durbin’s rooftop bar overlooking the Square’s stage were reserved.

Teehan’s bartender Emy Willis said Teehan’s reopening has been successful, already bringing together generations of new and old customers, that grandson’s sit in their grandfather’s old spot at the bar.

Customers have also brought back bar traditions like thirsty Thursdays, when residents celebrate the beginning of the weekend with a bar crawl.

“Everybody just knows each other by their name or at least everyone’s friendly,” Willis said. “There’s a lot of new regulars too. A lot of people are interested.”

Friday’s events were followed by a block party Saturday and Sunday at the square with live music on two stages, food and drinks, rides and games.

The square’s first schedule of regular programing begins July 22 with a car show and will be followed by a jumbo game night, a youth performance, farmers market and music in the plaza later in the week. The city also launched a website for the square.

Harmony Square is bordered by 172nd and 173rd streets on the north and south, and the 67th Avenue and 67th Court on the east and west. Gaus said she is looking forward to the square’s opening.

awright@chicagotribune.com