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Community Corner

Four June "Staycations" in Mokena

Who says you have to spend oodles of cash in order to enjoy your summer weekends or days off? There are plenty of fun activities happening in Mokena to look forward to.

Although the summer months tend to get people daydreaming about vacations and week-long getaways under the sun, for many, this will only remain a dream.

The economy is still making it tough for families to afford taking off work and spending money on gas or airfare, not to mention the costs of hotels, food, souvenirs and activities.

Fortunately, "staycations" are now the fad. For those of you unfamiliar with this phrase, it stands for fun, out-of-the-ordinary activities you can do close to home rather than far away. Staycations can often surpass vacations in their fun factors, because rather than packing fun into one week or weekend, staycations allow you to extend fun activities throughout the summer.

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What type of staycation fun can you find around Mokena? Here’s a list for the month of June that should fill up the next couple weeks fast.

Look for more staycation ideas in the near future for the months of July and August!

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Flea Market

Start your staycation tomorrow at the Marley Church Flea Market & Antique Show, located at the . This is their 47th annual flea market, making it a Mokena staple you won’t want to miss. Invite your friends and make it a day. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can find yourself an antique, woodwork, piece of art or original craft at one of over 100 booths.

According to the website, it is one of the area’s largest and longest-running markets. Lunch and snacks, including homemade pies, are also available. Once you score your new, ridiculously affordable gem, go find a place to display it in your home. Who knows? Maybe this will lead to a home decorating project.

Movie in the Park

Movies pose a quiet, relaxing activity to enjoy with family or friends of all ages. However, movie theater prices continue to soar, making this American pastime a pricey night out. Instead of going to a movie theater, check out Movies in the Park. Not only are they completely free, but they also provide a more social atmosphere and fresh air.

On June 24, “The Wizard of Oz” will be shown at , beginning at 8:45 p.m. Bring your own lawn chars or blankets. The concession stand will be open for a snack.

Free Bowling

Sometimes you just need to get out of the sun and into some air conditioning, right? With half the summer strutting 90-degree days and the other half boasting downpours, one of the safest activities to enjoy year-round is bowling. Luckily for dads, they get to bowl free on Father’s Day at  in Mokena. For every paid full-price game, Dad earns a free game. Bring the whole family out and save some money in the process. Since the lanes are first-come, first-serve, you might want to plan on bowling early Sunday.

Hadley Valley Hootenanny

Also tomorrow, you can visit your neighbors in New Lenox to celebrate the official grand opening of Hadley Valley Preserve, a new Will County forest preserve. The preserve a multi-purpose trail, interpretive exhibits and a picnic shelter.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, they are hosting the Hadley Valley Hootenanny outdoor concert, with Midwest favorites Harvest Moon entertaining from 6 to 10 p.m. Free hayrick rides on the trail and food for purchase will also be available. The event itself is free and open to all age age groups.

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