Forest Park Annual Casket Races 2022

10th Annual 2022 Casket Races

Casket Races prove Forest Park still kicking

Defending champs from park district choose Golden Ghouls theme

By JAMIE O’TOOLE Contributing Reporter

On Oct. 22, 17 teams will compete in the Chamber of Commerce’s 10th annual Casket Race with the chance to win the most ‘frighteningly funny’ or ‘creepiest’ casket theme. Not to mention the possibility of actually winning the race.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. and run to 2:30 p.m., animating a community of over 13,000 people in a town of 800,000 people who are six feet under.

At 10:30 a.m. the parade of caskets will begin. The Chamber of Commerce Casket Race Committee and radio personality MC Bonnie Greene will judge the casket decor at the race.

“We look at all the teams and how they’re creatively dressed and their casket, and we

look for the creepiest casket and then the funniest,” said Laurie Kokenes, executive director of the chamber.

Runners will begin the race at 11 a.m. on Beloit Avenue just south of Madison Street. Each team will have the chance to run twice, Kokenes said. Runners will push their casket vehicle along a 585-foot course that begins on Adams Street and ends at the alley south of Madison, she said.

Kokenes said the goal is for participants to reach their best time within two tries, and the runners with the quickest time will win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, awarded with a trophy. There will also be a trophy awarded to the last and slowest team, named the “Dead Last’ trophy.

“[Dead Last] is what [some] want to win, because they really don’t want to run or perhaps can’t run,” Kokenes said.

Many residents along the racecourse have outdoor viewing parties, Kokenes said, so the chamber will also award the best “house party.”

Kokenes thought of the idea for a casket race a few years before the Chamber of

Commerce’s 100th anni and the anniversary celebration presented the opportunity to commemorate Forest history of multiple cemeteries during Halloween time. The ratio of residents under and above ground is 50 to 1, kenes said.

“There’s more dead people than alive in Forest it kind of ties the Halloween theme, the fall theme in the little unique information Forest Park in there, Jackie Iovinelli, director of the Park District of Forest Park

The park district team took 1st place in the 2021 race. Their casket theme this year is inspired by the district’s recent purchase of the old The Pines restaurant property on Harrison Street and playing on the park district’s “inside joke” of Shady Pines from the Golden Girls.

“This year…we are going with Golden Ghouls,” Iovinelli said.

In between the race there will be a kids and pets costume parade, and following the race will be a chance to Trick or Treat on Madison St. and support local businesses from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

If you’re interested in participating, call the Chamber of Commerce at 708-366-2543 to check availability and re gister.

Prov iso Math and Science Academy

Supporting the independence of people with disabilities in Suburban Cook County

Dead Teams Running

The 2022 Casket Race Competitors

Golden Ghouls Park District of Forest Park

Forest Park Public Works

Team members: Joe Decosola, Dylan Ryan, Paul Richards, Steve Knysch, Paul Richards, Evan Braniff

Years in the Casket Races: Two

Casket Theme: Public Works Pick-Up Truck

Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket: We built it from scratch with no experience. It has flashing lights like a real Public Works truck

Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races: The community coming together for a fun event Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot: Fiore/Cactus Grill toss up

Post-race victory celebration: Pizza Party!

Team Doss

Team members: Jack Doss, Fred Calvert, Brady Ryan, Danny Bockavich, Emily Strharsky.

Years in the Casket Races: One

Casket Theme: Register to vote!!

Team members: Ryan Vilanova, Andre Steward, Micah O’Neal, AJ Jamison, Molly Allen (in the casket)

Years in the Casket Races: Eight Casket Theme: Shady “Pines” – Golden Girls

Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket: We are calling it shady pines because of the purchase of the Harrison street Property, The Pines business.

Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races: We enjoy the team building amongst our staff.

Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot: Duck Fat or O’Sullivan’s Post-race victory celebration: Possibly one of the above choices.

Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket: The awareness of registering to vote with a spooky twist!

Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races: We love seeing all the families out enjoying a community event! Also, some of the best parties along the street.

Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot: The Golden Steer, Goldyburgers.

Post-race victory celebration: An afternoon in the beer garden at Goldyburgers!

TThe Running JakesTeam members:Mark Hanson, Kyle Casey, Sam Klegon, LuisAnaya, Javonte Keys, Lauren MacaulayYears in the Casket Races:Two Casket Theme:Jake from State Farm

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Something weird, spooky or funny aboutyour Team and/or Casket:We almost killed one of our team memberslast year. We will be ready to run this year.Best thing about the Forest Park CasketRaces: The crowds and energy. Seeing all the kids.

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Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot:Subtender and O’Sullivan’sPost-race victory celebration:Coors Light and a champaign shower

Hurry, Hurry Hippos

Hurry Hurry

Team members: Ginger Bencola, Kelly Bencola, Christy Cutts, Marie MacBain, EmilyWolfkiel, and Jeff Sandler

Years in the Casket Races: Five

Casket Theme: Hurry, Hurry Hippos

Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket:Our casket is cursed... every year we have spray glue injuries duringour prep days!

Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races:The Casket Race is a full-year event for our team: recovery from theprevious year, off-season brainstorming, getting the casket detailedand decorated, and training the next generation of casket racers.We also love the energy of the crowd, especially when they startchanting for us. It gives us the competitive edge.

Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot: Mexican Republic

Post-race victory celebration: After we give all of our kids rides in the casket, we’ll add our trophyto our collection and start planning for next year!

The Dead Last

Team members: Ian Pfaff, Dave Ksander, Todd Beyer, Mike Ewing, Matt Penetti

Years in the Casket Races: Two

Casket Theme:

Franken-Stein: A machine that uses Frankenstein’s blood to power the engine and serve delicious drinks.

Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket:

Well… We’re gonna make it look like our casket is actually powered by Frankenstein’s blood and that we drink it too (In a G-rated family-friendly kind of way)

Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races: Everything about it is the best! Just the fact that FP does it is one of the main reasons why we love Forest Park so much. It’s a fun, unique and a great time to let grown-ups have a good time.

Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot: It’s a toss-up - Louie’s for Breakfast, Mexican Republic for Dinner - Goldyburger’s for everything else

Post-race victory celebration: We’re having a big BBQ in our backyard a block away from the race. Everyone’s invited! 418 Thomas.

ed! 418 T

Bulldog Bootcamp and Crossfit

Team members: Michael Brown, Patrick Moreno, Stacie Kern, Brian Mullaghy, Amber Kardosh-Driver

Years in the Casket Races: First year

Casket Theme: Dead Bulldog

Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket: Our Dead Bulldog Skeleton Hood Ornament!

Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races: It’s a great way to get outside with the community, and great entertainment for the kids.

Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot: Exit Strategy

Post-race victory celebration: A round of beers at Exit Strategy!

Other Teams

Othe

Brown Cow Ice Cream ParlorDrew Depriest/Cub ScoutsForest Park Schools D91

Guaranteed Rate/Jeremy RoseKristen Lyons Midnight Misfits (police dept)Oak Park Runners Club

Riveredge HospitalTriton College Venture Paving Group

Years of Framing Freedom