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New station celebration Sunday
SUNDAY CELEBRATION
What: Village-wide celebration of the new downtown CTA station that opened April 30.
Events: Sculpture dedication, kiddie bike ride, ice cream, entertainment and the station dedication.
When: 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
Other events: The Independent Merchants of Downtown Skokie will hold a Cash Mob gathering at 11 a.m. to noon at Aw Yeah Comics, 4933 Oakton St., and then a fund-raising event with hot dogs and hamburgers at Crafty Beaver next to the station, 4810 W. Oakton.
Updated: July 23, 2012 6:48AM
Skokie is celebrating the opening of its new downtown CTA Yellow Line train station Sunday with a series of events.
The station opened at the end of April.
The festivities include the dedication of a new sculpture at 2 p.m. on the northwest corner of Skokie Boulevard and Searle Parkway.
The funding for the sculpture was made possible through a program inspired by the Independent Merchants of Downtown Skokie. The village program charges one-tenth of a percent for all building permits in Skokie to go toward public art. Skokie’s Public Art Advisory Committee oversees the money.
A kiddie bike parade on the village’s new multi-use path near the station is scheduled from 2:15 to 2:45 p.m. Kids ages 14 and under can decorate their bikes, try out the new path and receive a participation ribbon. Prizes will be awarded to the three best decorated bikes.
Entertainment and free Oberweis ice cream are scheduled from 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the east side of the new station by the Kiss and Ride Lot. Ice cream will be distributed on a first come, first served basis, one per customer, while supplies last.
Music, a juggler and other special entertainment will be on hand and special downtown Skokie coupons and offers will be available at that time. Active Transportation Alliance will have information about commuting options, and photos of the historic CTA Yellow Line will be displayed.
Train rides to and from Dempster Street will be available. The cost is $2.25 per trip and kids under 7 ride free.
The station will officially be dedicated from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. with U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-9th, and Mayor George Van Dusen making statements.
The Independent Merchants of Downtown Skokie will also celebrate the day by holding a “Cash Mob” event and fund-raising effort before the village celebration.
The fourth Cash Mob is scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon at Aw Yeah Comics, 4933 Oakton St. Participants are being asked to gather at the business and shop there.
Following the event, from noon to 2 p.m., IMODS will move to the west end of Crafty Beaver next to the CTA station to host a fundraiser and its own celebration.
IMODS will be giving away hot dogs and hamburgers to people who bring a non-perishable food item for the Niles Township Food Pantry or a $1 donation in lieu of the food item.
Free parking for all events is available in the Illinois Science + Technology Park parking garage, the entrance to which is on Searle Parkway just west of the Yellow Line tracks.
Searle Parkway will be closed from Skokie Boulevard to the parking garage entrance during the event, so it will be necessary to access Searle Parkway from Niles Avenue, Elm Street or Niles Center Road.
