Community Corner

Ten Years of Tom Hanks Day Made Possible By Ravenswood Resident

The annual cult gathering is now in its 10th year, thanks to the (Forrest) Gumption of a Ravenswood resident.

Between Sleepless in Seattle, Saving Private Ryan and Forrest Gump, it’s quite clear why a Tom Hanks Day exists, and lucky for the North Side, the annual event is being held in the heart of the community.

The 10th annual International Tom Hanks Day will take place on April 13 from noon to 4 p.m. at neighboring bars HQ Beercade at 950 W. Wolfram St. and Uncle Fatty’s Rum Resort at 2833 N. Sheffield Ave.

Co-founded by now-Ravenswood resident Kevin Turk, Tom Hanks Day started in 2004 at Western Michigan University in Kalamzoo. Now, after 10 years and 300 attendees, the big event has returned.

Find out what's happening in Lincoln Squarewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Can you believe it’s been a decade?” said Turk in a statement. “Acting legend Tom Hanks will again be celebrated in the Windy City—and money raised for his favorite charity—at the 10th annual whimsical cult gathering that is International Tom Hanks Day.”

The charity is Lifeline Energy, Hanks’ favorite charity, according to Turk. It’s a non-profit social enterprise that provides assorted technologies and eco-friendly initiatives to enhance the lives of residents in underdeveloped countries.

Find out what's happening in Lincoln Squarewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Although the event is free, proceeds are generated through a suggested $5 donation that lets Tom Hanks lovers drink beer at a discounted price, and snags the fan a raffle ticket for prizes.

In the past, the prizes—some of which Hanks even provides—range from signed Forrest Gump posters, signed movies and signed Wilson volleyballs (think Cast Away). More raffle tickets can be purchased at an additional cost.

Turk says over the years, the annual party has expanded from its Chicago roots to other cities like Los Angeles, London, Portland, Cleaveland and Toronto. The event now boasts more than 1,700 Facebook followers and even caught the attention of Hanks himself.

“Dear Kevin Turk and the Assembled,” Hanks began in a letter to Turk dated in 2007. “You people have either lost your mind or your jobs. Both? Then again, you may have just discovered the divine path to world peace—just a short walk through, say, ‘Turner and Hooch’ and ‘Cast Away.’”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here