Get ready to pig out
Cheer on your favorite lords of pork, who will be competing for one of three cash prizes and bragging rights of best ribs in town at the village of Forest Park’s Ribfest 2021 on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Forest Park Picnic Grove, 7824 Madison St.
Bring the family and enjoy samplings from the competitors (small fee), and enjoy loaded baked potato, snow cones, roasted corn on the cob and beverages including fresh lemonade, root beer, beer and vodka.
Live entertainment from 1 to 10:30 p.m. will feature Latin soul and pop, R&B/soul; rockabilly and rock and roll.
Cook County Public Health will be onsite administering COVID-19 vaccines from noon to 5 p.m.
For more info, call 708-771-7737.

Autism advocacy virtual magic show
Forest Park Public Library invites families to tune into its Facebook page at facebook.com/forestparkreads on Sunday, Sept. 12 from 2 to 3 p.m. as magician Cody Clark presents “A Different Way of Thinking: An Autism Advocacy Magic Show” that incorporates storytelling and comedy while exploring differences.
The show is designed for children over 7 years old. More information is available at fppl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar.

Contemporary Native Americans in Illinois
Pamala Silas, a member of Menominee Indian Tribe and an Oneida descendant, will present “Vibrant, Resilient, Still Here: Contemporary Native Americans in Illinois” at the Forest Park Library 7555 Jackson Blvd. on Thursday, Sept. 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Austin Room.
Her lecture will end in an informal circle, similar to a talking circle, to connect participants’ own family and community experiences with some of the themes, including finding resources to learn more and get involved locally.
Register at fppl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar.

Local author at Centuries & Sleuths
Centuries and Sleuths bookstore, 7419 Madison St., will host an evening with Forest Park Review columnist and retired private detective John Rice, author of “The Doll with the Sad Face: The Adventures of a Family Man Private Detective” on Friday, Sept. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Rice’s second novel features a private detective, Mike Sullivan, who is fighting to save his family detective agency just as his detective work starts to dry up and a worldwide recession hits. With middle age encroaching, he is forced to take whatever work he can find. Aided by two extraordinary assistants, Sullivan’s dark world sheds light on corporate crime, personal tragedies and institutional injustice.
Decorate a flowerpot for Madison Street
Help the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce get Madison Street ready for Halloween by pitching in for this year’s Halloween Flowerpots on Parade.
Families, individuals, businesses, organizations are welcome to adopt a pot and decorate it using an autumn or Halloween theme. The street will look fabulous just in time for the Casket Race!
Pots will be available for installation from Oct. 16-21 and will be on display from Oct. 23 through Nov. 8.
ExploreForestPark.com/events for more information.