FunFest coming to Archer/Narragansett
By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post
Boys and girls in Clearing and Garfield Ridge are welcome to attend the first-ever Dog Days of Summer FunFest, set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3 on the grounds of Garfield Ridge Baptist Church, 5520 S. Narragansett.
FunFest is the brainchild of local business leader Geno Randazzo of All Exterior Contractors, who is underwriting all costs. There is no admission charge.
“Later in August, kids will already be going back to school,” Randazzo said. “I just think it’s a good idea to give them one final day of summer fun as we move through the summer."
FunFest will offer block party-style enjoyment for the family, but especially kids: hot dogs, popcorn, music by a disc jockey, a colorful bouncy house and mechanical bull, airbrush tattoos, raffles and a photo booth.
“This is the type of festival that kids will be talking about years from now, when they tell their children and grandchildren about what life was like way back in 2024,” Randazzo added with a chuckle. “This neighborhood is a good place for a kld to grow up in, and FunFest is designed to contribute to that.”
Also, a Chicago Freeze ice cream truck will be on hand, sponsored by the Mike Riordan State Farm Agency. The first 75 children who stop by the State Farm table at the event will get a coupon for free ice cream. Parents in attendance are welcome to purchase ice cream for themselves, as well.
Haircuts for children will be offered at no charge by barbers from Union Fades.
“A big part of our ministry is family, so when Geno Randazzo reached out about putting this family festival together, we were happy to host it at our church,” said Pastor Harold Teesdale, who noted that Garfield Ridge Baptist has served the community since its founding in 1959. “We are looking forward to seeing everyone from the neighborhood come out and have a good time, as well as giving others a chance to get to know us a little better.”
Reaction from parents and grandparents on local social media platforms appeared positive.
“This is so nice that a local business owner would go to this extent for the girls and boys of the neighborhood,” said Trish Montez. “I plan to bring my sons there, and maybe a couple of their friends.”
Monika Stajura said she likes “the idea that there’s also free haircuts for kids. That will help us save some money. Haircuts normally aren’t cheap. Expenses like that can add up.”
Amy Carrillo said she likes the “block party” idea of FunFest.
“A lot of kids live on blocks with no block parties, or they do but could not attend because their family was on vacation,” she said. “This thing Geno’s having gives those kids a chance to have the kind of fun they might have otherwise missed.”
Chuck Korbal said he hopes FunFest “is kept small, with a real neighborhood feel. Sometimes you see these big events attracting people who don’t live anywhere around here, and that kind of destroys the neighborhood vibe. This looks like it’s going to be small, but at the same time fun for kids who live right here, kids who could even walk there with their moms and dads.”
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