Western Springs Circle of Friendship Party Connects Kids from City and Suburbs

Annual event brings together students from Western Springs and Chicago's Off the Street Club for a day of fun activities.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The 30th annual Western Springs Circle of Friendship Party will take place on Saturday, bringing together 85 students from the La Grange area and 85 students from the Off the Street Club in Chicago's Garfield Park neighborhood for an afternoon of games, music, and new friendships. The event is organized by parent volunteers to promote connections between young people who may not otherwise have the chance to meet.

Why it matters

The Circle of Friendship Party aims to foster understanding and build relationships between kids from different communities. By pairing students from the suburbs with those from an urban youth center, the event exposes participants to new perspectives and helps break down barriers between city and suburban youth.

The details

The party will feature activities like an obstacle course, face painting, and music from a DJ. Volunteers, including junior high students, will be on hand to ensure the event runs smoothly and to help the buddy pairs get to know each other. The Off the Street Club, located in Chicago's Garfield Park, is one of the city's oldest Boys and Girls Clubs and provides a safe space for children to learn, play, and develop.

  • The 30th annual Western Springs Circle of Friendship Party will take place on Saturday, February 16, 2026 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The players

Charlotte Wegrzyn

The director of the Western Springs Circle of Friendship Party for the last five years.

Patti Winegar

One of the original founders of the event and a board member at the Off the Street Club in Chicago.

Off the Street Club

A nonprofit youth center in Chicago's Garfield Park neighborhood that provides a safe place for children to learn, play, and develop.

Western Springs District 101

The school district serving the Western Springs area, which is the home district for most of the student participants in the Circle of Friendship Party.

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What they’re saying

“The junior high kids can kind of help the younger kids and help them navigate the party and get to know their new friend. It's kind of an all ages event whether you're participating or helping. It brings together two communities that would otherwise not meet.”

— Charlotte Wegrzyn, Director of the Western Springs Circle of Friendship Party (chicagotribune.com)

“This is our 30th anniversary, so this is a great time to talk about the party.”

— Patti Winegar, One of the original founders of the event and a board member at the Off the Street Club (chicagotribune.com)

What’s next

The organizers are hoping for a strong turnout at the 30th annual Western Springs Circle of Friendship Party on Saturday, February 16, 2026 to celebrate the event's milestone anniversary and continue fostering connections between students from the suburbs and the city.

The takeaway

The Western Springs Circle of Friendship Party demonstrates how community-driven initiatives can bring together young people from diverse backgrounds, promoting understanding, friendship, and a sense of shared experience across geographic and socioeconomic divides.