More than 3,000 people from communities across Chicagoland gathered for a mega Lag B’Omer celebration, bringing together families from across the spectrum of the Jewish community.

Organized by Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois together with area Chabad centers, the Skokie Sports Park grounds were transformed into a large-scale family celebration featuring live music, carnival attractions, all-you-can-eat BBQ, and interactive activities for all ages.

This year’s event highlighted the 12 Pesukim in honor of 50 years since the Rebbe launched the 12 Pesukim.

A centerpiece of the event was the “12 Pesukim Adventure Zone,” where children experienced hands-on games and activities inspired by the themes of the pesukim and maamarei Chazal. The displays, custom games, inspirational slogans, and colorful posters were designed and created by students of Lubavitch Girls High School, helping bring the messages of the pesukim to life in an engaging and memorable way.

Children also received the new Pesukim pull-out pens created by Tzivos Hashem, which quickly became a favorite giveaway throughout the evening as children proudly reviewed the pesukim together.

The Upsherin Tent drew boys and families from local Chabad Houses who gathered to celebrate their upsherins together in a warm and spirited atmosphere, adding another layer of unity to the evening.

This year also featured the festival’s first-ever Chili Cookoff, which drew strong participation and friendly competition among community members. Winners of the competition were Benny (from Yeshivas Netzach Yisroel), Albert Zickmann, and Mayer Sherman.

The Cheder Marching Band performed during the evening, adding excitement and energy to the program.

Jewish music star Benny Friedman performed together with his band, led by musical director Gershon Freishtat, bringing thousands together in spirited singing and dancing. The Ari Crown–Rella Klepak Boys Choir and the Cheder Lubavitch Marching Band also performed during the evening program.

Children and families enjoyed train rides, boating, rock climbing, a massive three-story slide, inflatables, marshmallow roasting, and face painting, while roaming entertainers, including magicians and jugglers, kept the grounds lively throughout the evening.

Rabbi Yosef Moscowitz, executive director of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois and one of the event organizers, said, “The Rebbe emphasized that every Jewish child should know these pesukim and carry them with pride. Seeing children and families from many different communities coming together around the 12 Pesukim was a powerful expression of Jewish unity and simcha.”

From the youngest children reciting pesukim to families dancing together under the open sky, the festival reflected the spirit of Rashbi and continued a Chicago Lag B’Omer tradition that has brought the community together for decades.