LANSING, Ill. — Registration is now open for the annual Good Neighbor Parade and the Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its planned Wine Walk in downtown Lansing.
Chamber members heard updates about upcoming chamber events and village happenings from several community officials at the Business Growth Luncheon Wednesday at J.J. Kelley’s Restaurant and Pub.
Chamber Activities
Executive Director Laura Vasquez-Alvarado said the chamber is currently looking for sponsors and vendors for the upcoming Spring Uncorked Wine Walk.
Vasquez-Alvarado said businesses who don’t have a storefront on Ridge Road will be able to set up pop-up tents. The chamber is expanding the Wine Walk to Fox Pointe this year.
Vasquez-Alvarado also said sign-ups for the Good Neighbor Parade are underway. The parade will be Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m. This year’s parade theme is “100 Years Above the Rest: Built by Ford, Backed by Lansing & Surrounding Neighbors.”
To register for either event, go to chamberoflansing.com.
Chamber Board President Audria Green-Hawkins also highlighted recent chamber events designed to help business owners, noting they have several more business seminars planned and another business capital kickoff event planned with another chamber.
Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce working remotely during search for new home
“We plan on having business series come either monthly or bi-monthly, but we have two already,” she said. “So please, please, please check out the website, the Lansing chamber website. Also, we are going to start putting information about grants, funding, business entrepreneurship, anything that’s going to help your small business.”
Upcoming chamber events include:
- Coffee & Connections: March 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Grindhouse Cafe, 3805 Ridge Road in Highland. This is a networking opportunity for members and community businesses to connect, share ideas, and build relationships in a relaxed setting.
- Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny: March 21 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Lansing Christian School, 3660 Randolph St. in Lansing. Families and community members are invited to enjoy a fresh, hot pancake breakfast prepared by the Lansing Copper Muggers. Guests will have the chance to meet and take photos with the Easter Bunny, participate in raffles, and enjoy a friendly, family-focused atmosphere. Tickets are $6 per person, and children 2 and under eat free.
Village Events
Director of Venue Operations Ken Reynolds discussed previously-announced plans for a fireworks show at the Lansing Municipal Airport to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Earlier in the day, the Village is also planning a cookout at Fox Pointe.
Reynolds also announced a special gala celebration in September for the historic Ford Hangar’s 100th anniversary. He mentioned the celebrations will also include flight demonstrations. More information will be released later, Reynolds said.
The Fox Pointe summer season will open Wednesday, June 3, with a concert by crowd favorite Sixteen Candles. Free Wednesday concerts will continue through Sept. 2. A number of Friday Night Lights concerts are also scheduled.
In an effort to make Fox Pointe available beyond the traditional concert crowd, the Village is launching a Farmers Market this summer on Tuesday mornings, beginning June 9. Vendors and artisans have already begun signing up for booth space, and applications are still being accepted at https://foxpointe.org/event/farmers-market/2026-06-16/.
Police Department
Police Chief Al Phillips announced the impending departure of Deputy Chief Scott Bailey, who will be retiring in the summer. Phillips said Bailey’s departure meant several staffing changes, including:
- Lt. Steve Winkler will become deputy chief.
- Sgt. Dana Tatgenhorst will transition from the community policing role to a tactical team role.
- Michael Lindemulder will be in the community policing role.
Phillips introduced Lindemulder at the luncheon and noted his role in being a liaision between business owners and the police department.
“You know, the great thing that happens when you bring somebody new into a position, when you know you got the right guy, you know he’s going to take it to the next level, and he’s absolutely going to do that,” Phillips said. “And I really want you guys to be a big part of that. Our businesses — You guys need to be a big part of reaching out to us and letting us know what you need. He’s going to be your primary point of contact. Obviously, y’all can reach out to me at any point, but I want to get him more involved and see what he does with that next position.”
Phillips also announced a $680,000 grant for body cameras, continued traffic enforcement grants and the retirement of K-9 Luna.
