Special Events

Ski/Snowboard Trip is an event or kids in grades 5-8.  They travel by bus to Alpine Valley Resort in East Troy, Wisconsin for a day of skiing or snowboarding. 

Just the Two of Us is an opportunity for girls ages 3 to 8 to spend time with their favorite male guest (must be 18 or older), dancing the night away. All girls will receive a flower and everyone will create his or her own ice cream sundae.

March Madness is a mom/son special event which focuses on engaging and exciting activities! Boys, ages 4-10 years old will enjoy friendly competition in the gym, entertainment and snacks.

Hoppin' Holiday Hunt Children ages 8 and under get to take a picture with the Spring Bunny and hunt for all his treats and prizes. The Park District supplies the baskets for the hunt. A continental breakfast is provided throughout the morning and a magic show is performed.

Our Loop the Lakes 5K Run/Walk is a low-key community event around scenic Big Bear and Little Bear Lakes. The event is attended by both serious runners and leisure joggers, as well as families out for a Saturday morning stroll.

The Family Kite Fly is a free event held near the lake in Century Park.   Families are invited to join Park Disrict staff in supporting the Illinois Park & Recreation Association's "Flying 4 Kids" program which promotes the sale of Park District license plates that feature a kite design. For each license plate sold, a monetary donation is made to support After School programs offered throughout the state. 

Kids Fishing Day is held in Century Park near the lakes.  A local fishing club partners with the Park District and offers fishing demonstrations and instruction. The Park District provides fishing poles and bait.    Prizes are awarded for fun "fish categories" at the close of the event.

The Hole-in-One Challenge is hosted by the Park District during the Village of Vernon Hills Summer Celebration held at Century Park. A floating hole is placed on Big Bear Lake and golfers take a swing on land to make a hole-in-one. The first person to shoot a hole-in-one can choose from a variety of top-notch prizes such as golf clubs, rounds of golf, or even getaway golf packages! All golfers who land the ball on the green receive a T-shirt and are entered into a raffle for the remaining prizes.

Summer Splash is held at the Family Aquatic Center on a Friday evening in August. Highlights of the event include plastic duck races for prizes, carnival-style games, music and concessions. The event is open only to Vernon Hills residents.

Fall Fest is a frightfully fun event held around Halloween and features indoor trick-or-treating, a spooky panic room, entertainment, carnival games and concessions. More than 1,200 witches, animals, ghouls and goblins pass through the doors of the Sullivan Center each year for this gala event.

In addition, many village-organized events such as Summer Celebration, the Lion's Club Circus and July 4th and New Year's Eve Fireworks demonstrations take place on some of the scenic parklands around Vernon Hills.

Current News and Highlights

2010 Events

Ski/Snowboard Trip

February 26

8:30am - 6:15 pm

Alpine Valley Resort

March Madness
March 7
1:00-3:00 pm
Sullivan Center

Just The Two Of Us
March 19
6:30-8:30 pm
Sullivan Center

Hoppin' Holiday Hunt
March 27
9:00-11:00 am
Sullivan Center

Preschool Open House
March 27
10:30 am - Noon
Sullivan Center

Loop the Lakes
5K Run/Walk
April 24
9:00 am
Century Park

Family Kite Fly
Fall 2010
11:00 am
Century Park

Kids Fishing Day
June 12
9:00 am - Noon
Big Bear Lake
Century Park

Family Campout
June 19-20
6:30 pm-9:00 am
Family Aquatic Center

Summer Splash
August 6
5:30-8:00 pm
Family Aquatic Center