Plan Your Mokena Valentine’s Day Now

It’s officially February, which—aside from one special day of flowers, chocolate and an excuse to go out on a weekday—is slightly on the uneventful side.

With that said, let’s be sure to take advantage of that one special day.

Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year. This gives you the option to make plans for the weekend before, to be a daredevil and stay out late on a Tuesday night or to treat this day like any other while instead looking forward to Mardi Gras.

No matter what you decide, you’ve got some options in Mokena. Whether your idea of a fancy date means riding a horse, watching a performance or indulging in chocolate with friends, we’ve got you covered.

Weekend Before:

• On Friday, Feb. 10, plan a night out with your special someone on the same night that your kids can attend A Night of Heart’y Fun at ! Children ages 4 to 6 can enjoy food and entertainment with Miss Janet while you head out to dinner, a movie or whatever you prefer on your special night out.

• Not a fan of this mushy “Hallmark holiday?” Gather your friends for Chocolate Overdose at on Feb. 11. From 1 to 3 p.m., you’ll get to sample loads of chocolate, domestic and imported. Included are surprise treats, beverages and giveaways, along with education on how to properly handle, store, melt and use chocolate. Register now so the library knows how much chocolate to have on hand!

• If your children love chocolate too, they can attend their own Festival of Chocolate from 3 to 4 p.m. Feb. 9 at the library This is open for grades four through eight.

• On either Feb. 11 and 12, register for annual Valentine’s Day Ride and Homemade Italian Dinner! For $65 a couple, you receive a horseback ride and mini lesson, followed by a pasta dinner with salad, rolls, beverages and dessert. You can add another family member for $20 extra, and one time slot on each day is open to ages seven and up. Another time slot on each day is specifically open to adults only.

Valentine’s Day:

• Register now for “Tribute to Frank,” a Valentine’s Day Dinner Show at . Packages start at $29, with a show featuring tunes from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Tony Bennett, performed by Jim Bulanda. Seating takes place at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 8:30 p.m. You have a wide variety of dinner options, from London broil or tilapia, to ribs or chicken.

• Enjoy a night in! Head to for a slew of Valentine’s Day specialty items, like strawberry cheesecake, chocolate mousse cake, Dutch pies, kolaches and cookies, all in the shape of hearts. Once you have your goodies, enjoy cooking a homemade dinner, ordering takeout, watching a sappy movie or playing games. Make sure to leave room for dessert!