Historic Cantigny Park offers great recreation and golf

Are you making plans for an eventful summer that includes classes, entertainment, golf and a military museum? Look no further, because just 40 miles west of Chicago lies one of the most historic and naturally breathtaking Cantigny Parks, located at 1 S, 151 Winfield Rd in Wheaton, IL.

If you’re wondering why this trip is worth your time, Jeff Reiter, Senior Manager of Communications for 58-year-old Cantigny Park, has his point. “We do a lot of things here for all ages to cater for a wide range of interests. Our gardens are spectacular, as is our Military History Museum, First Division Museum. “The garden and the museum are two of our attractions ,” Wright said.

Describing the adjacent Cantigny Golf Course, Reiter said: “It’s a highly ranked public golf course, and it’s very popular.

In addition to the park’s permanent attractions, Reiter said, there are many special events, from concerts, lectures, garden tours to festivals…a peaceful place for family gatherings.

Asked how and why the park was labeled “user-friendly,” Reiter explained that Cantigny Park recently underwent a six-year, $60 million renovation by Chicago-based Robert R. . Funded by the McCormick Foundation, Cantigny’s parent organization. The project is called “Project New Leaf”.

The renovations include additional parking spaces, new pathways, new (wayfinding) signage, new restroom buildings, more benches throughout the park and what he said are additional lighting needed to provide outdoor evening events.

“These improvements are why we were able to expand public programming this summer,” Reiter explained.

The park’s newest event is the Jazz/Wine Festival, which will be held on Sunday, June 18th from 12pm-6pm at 1s151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL.

Both bands will perform in both parts of the park, but not at the same time; however, according to Reiter, they can be heard no matter where you are.

The featured headline band will be the Basie Orchestra. William James “Count” Basie still plays sold-out concerts around the world. The Count Basie Orchestra is conducted by Scotty Barnhart. The group has won 18 Grammy Awards and has performed at major jazz festivals and concerts around the world, according to Reiter.

As an added treat, the band’s guest vocalist will be jazz legend Vanessa Rubin, a Cleveland native with a bachelor’s degree in journalism but who stuck to her love of music and became a Great jazz singer. The Count Basie Band and Rubin will conclude the Jazz and Wine Festival with a performance beginning at 4:45 p.m.

Tickets are $60 for the Jazz/Wine event and $40 for the Jazz-only event, which does not include wine samples. Youth tickets (under 21) are $20.

Use code JAZZE at checkout at Cantigny.org to save 20% on tickets through May 26.

Four other notable acts preceded them. They are the Thaddeus Tukes Quartet performing at 12 noon. He graduated from Northwestern University.

Victor Garcia’s Latin Jazz Septet will perform at 1:30 pm. He is a trumpeter from Chicago who released his debut album “The Grind/The Grove” in 2018. He also recorded dozens of other albums, three of which were nominated for Grammy Awards.

The Frank Catalano Quartet will perform at 3 pm. He is a world-class tenor saxophonist and native Chicagoan who has won three Grammy Awards. He has worked with some of the greatest jazz greats such as Miles Davis, Randy Blake, David Sanborn and Jimmy Chamberlain.

The New Orleans-style Big Shoulders brass band will perform at 4:15 pm, promising to delight the crowd with Chicago-style Dixieland funk.

During the Jazz/Wine Festival, you’ll be able to sample white and red wines sponsored by Romano Beverage of Elmhurst, Illinois, and Regal Wine Company from Santa Rosa, California, at the park’s ten tasting stations, These include international and domestic selections.

Voyage en France is another new event that will take place on Sunday, July 16th from 10am to 4pm to connect the park with France in particular.

Park gates open at 11am on Sunday, June 18. Because the seating is on the lawn, park officials recommend that you bring blankets and/or folding chairs. If you’re planning on dining, there are a variety of food trucks throughout the park grounds offering meals and snacks, including beer and soft drinks. However, outside alcohol or coolers are not permitted.

Located inside the visitor center, Bertie’s Cafe offers sandwiches, hot dogs, snacks, ice cream, coffee and other beverages, according to Reiter.

“Many people ordered their food to go to a nearby picnic spot,” Reiter said. The picnic area is shaded and spacious, featuring the Red Oaks Farm playground, another Project New Lead improvement.

However, the park offers more than entertainment. It includes a piece of history like the First Division Museum. Assistant Curator Jessica Waszak said, “The exhibit aims to honor all the families and guests who have come to the park through the generations, and is an opportunity to share our deep connection to Division I and its members .”

The connection began with Cantini’s benefactor, Colonel Robert R. McCormick, who served in the 1st Division during World War I. The museum honors his legacy and the service and sacrifice of all veterans, telling their stories and stories of the U.S. military through footage of the 1st Infantry Division, or “Big Red Division.”

Running from Saturday, May 27 through Labor Day, the “65 Years” exhibit showcases the mundane and the important, from boots, helmets and lighters to hero badges, medals and flags. According to Waszak, they depict the daily lives of soldiers while honoring an extraordinary life of service and sacrifice for our country.

Some of the nearly 500 artifacts will be on public display for the first time. The items are grouped into 17 categories, focusing on soldiers’ personal stories. The exhibition builds on the trust that heritage donors place in the First Sector Museum as a repository of treasured family memorabilia and stories.

Cantini Park will honor America, its veterans and those currently serving in the military. Armed Forces Day Saturday 20th May (free entry), 105th Anniversary of the Battle of Cantini, Sunday 28th May, 1st Infantry Division Birthday, Thursday 8th June, Star-Spangled Banner Family Night, 6 Held on Wednesday 14th.

Cantigny Park is adjacent to the 300-acre Cantigny 27-hole championship golf course, surrounded by a picturesque natural backdrop. The golf course is owned by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and managed by KemperSports.

“Cantigny Golf has Fareways Grill, which is a full-service restaurant with a full bar and a great view of the golf course,” Reiter said. “The parks and golf courses have different entrances, so you need to drive from one to the other.”

However, Reiter made it clear that many people go to Fareways for lunch and dinner, and it’s not just a place for golfers. “Food trucks love to come to Cantini, and we welcome them,” he explained, adding that there are usually two or three trucks on site, but on big days, there will be nine or ten.

Other events include: Thursday, June 15, “Summer Nights: Bark in the Park,” Thursday, June 29, 6pm-9pm, “Summer Nights: Magical Nights in the Garden,” Thursday, July pm 6-9 pm “Summer Night: Cocktails and Karaoke” Thursday, July 27 6-9 pm “Summer Night: Cantigny Adult Summer Camp” Saturday 8/12 6-9 pm “Park “Light in the Light” 7pm-11:59pm and Wednesday, August 16th, “Family Game Night” 7pm-8pm, Night of Light Games, Attractions and Drinks, “Family Game Night”, 5:30pm to 8pm

Admission is free every first Wednesday, limited parking is $15 on-site and $5 off-site.