In 2011, the annual Minooka Community Picnic was moved from June to October because a heat wave was too dangerous for residents to be outdoors for an extended period of time. After holding the 2011 picnic in October, Minooka officials stayed with the late summer/early fall time frame.

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Minooka residents are invited to the community picnic at Lion's Park on McEvilly Road. Free Hot dogs, chips and a beverages are donated by Minooka churches, local civic groups and the Village of Minooka. In addition to free food, the event will feature a bounce house, stiltwalker, balloon sculptures and a comedy show by ACME Improv.

In addition to the attractions, residents are asked to bring their pop tabs to the event. Minooka resident Alex Caraynoff organized a pop tab collection drive, Pop Tab Pandemonium, to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities last year. He hoped to break a record of the number of pop tabs collected.

Caraynoff was inspired to collect tabs after he joined his family at a Ronald McDonald House. The family stays at the House when sister Kaitlyn receives treatments for a brain injury. Kaitlyn was injured when she was 10, but is still receiving treatments. For his efforts, in May, Minooka Community High School awarded Alex Caraynoff as local Prudential Spirit of Community Award: Honorable Mention winner for the third year in a row. Last year, Alex Caraynoff tried to beat the record of six tons collected in a single drive. He is again trying to bet the record.

By the Numbers

• 1 inch = 1 pop-tab
• 1 pound = 1267 tabs
• 1 mile = 63,360 tabs
• 1 ton = 2,534,000 tabs

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