The Chicago city skyline seen from the Park District of Forest Park on Harrison Street. | Alexa Rogals/Staff Photographer
Forest Park residents salute the WGN helicopter on Friday, July 20, at the Park District of Forest Park on Harrison Street. | Alexa Rogals/Staff Photographer
A WGN helicopter flies over a group of residents waving on Friday, July 20, at the Park District of Forest Park on Harrison Street. | Alexa Rogals/Staff Photographer
Park District workers finish up the painting of the No Glove Nationals logo. | Alexa Rogals/Staff Photographer

About 50 residents said hey to the WGN helicopter on July 20, as a crew from the TV station performed its first-ever flyover of the village in anticipation of the “No Glove Nationals” softball tournament the weekend of July 26 to 29. 

“My, we’ve got quite a big group out there,” an announcer from WGN rang out. 

Forest Parkers showed their pride by arriving to the Park District of Forest Park extra early at 7 a.m. to wave to the camera. They enjoyed free coffee, donuts and marveled at the new stencil on the softball fields, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the tournament. 

“I thought it was kind of cool, it was our 15 minutes of fame,” said Larry Piekarz, director of the park district, adding: “It was fun, we hope WGN does another one during the tournament. It’s a fun event and we hope people turn out.”  

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