balln Family Picnic Back for Seventh Year

Seven years ago, two businessmen decided to host a community picnic as a way of saying thanks to Bolingbrook for supporting their clothing line.

“We weren’t really expecting a huge turnout,” said Robert Sutton, who runs the Bolingbrook-based balln athletic wear line with his partner, Bernard Winston. “We ended up having 400 to 500 people there, just through word-of-mouth.”

Because it was such a success, balln Worldwide LLC and Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar have made the picnic an annual event. It now draws between 500 and 1,500 attendees.

The seventh annual balln Family Picnic, also sponsored by Twin Financial, will be held from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, at Remington Lakes Park, 811 W. Remington Blvd., in Bolingbrook.

One of the village’s largest summer events, the free picnic has activities for all ages.

This year’s events include a basketball clinic for kids ages 8 to 14, kid’s playground with an inflatable moon walker, the balln For A Cause four-on-four basketball tournament to help fight breast cancer, a slam dunk contest, music, a live deejay, games, contests, and giveaways. Registration is required for the basketball tournament.

New this year is the “We Got Talent Showcase,” which will feature local musicians including brother duo J21 and Tariq.

“I have a lot of young guys come to me looking for help with getting exposure or trying to get into the music industry,” Sutton said. “I figure, I have an event where we have thousands of people there. It’s a good way for them to get exposure and for people to see them right in their own community. And it gives them experience doing a performance in front of a large crowd.”

The picnic will kick off at noon with the fifth annual Edie Gathe Breast Cancer Foundation Walk For A Cure to honor breast cancer survivors and loved ones that have been lost. Registration is $10.

During the picnic, Nancy’s Pizza will be giving kids gift certificates for free breadsticks and discount coupons.

Sutton hopes to see the community attend.

“This is the biggest summer event in Bolingbrook,” he said. “It’s a full day of fun and entertainment for the entire family.”