THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Another Great Summer Weekend Line-Up!
Not only is another weekend upon us again, but it’s another great summer weekend line-up here in Chicago!
Returning for its 3rd year, the Windy City Smokeout brings together the best BBQ, beer and live country music to the River North neighborhood at 560 W. Grand Avenue (Grand Ave. and the Chicago River) this Saturday and Sunday with gates opening at 12:00 p.m.! Southern-inspired fare from Chicago’s BBQ restaurants takes top-billing on the menu along with Big Gay Ice Cream, Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, Three Dots and a Dash, Sir Kensington’s and The Salsa Truck all catering to other tastes across the board. Country music’s biggest stars as well as emerging talent provide the entertainment with Billy Currington performing Saturday (8:00 p.m.) and Old Dominion on Sunday (8:00 p.m.) as well as special events taking place throughout the weekend, such as the Maine Lobster & Moet Brunch, the Barbecue Brunch, Jack Daniel’s Family Tastings and others, making this Smokeout a must attend!!
One of the north side’s longest-running family festivals, BenFest 2016, returns to the North Center neighborhood at St. Benedict’s Church (2215 W. Irving Park Rd.) and on Leavitt Street from Irving Park Road to Byron Street this Saturday (1:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) and Sunday (1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.). This renowned neighborhood celebration offers a mouthwatering menu, craft beer, live entertainment on two stages, fabulous family fun for every age group, a marketplace, games and much more! BenFest is definitely more than a traditional church function and bigger than a block party!!
Celebrating its 11th year at Union Park (1501 W. Randolph St.) in the West Town neighborhood, the Pitchfork Music Festival takes place this Saturday and Sunday beginning at Noon. This internationally recognized music festival features over 40 bands with the best in new and emerging music with a lineup that continues to be one of the most exciting, diverse and unique of any festival around! A few of this year’s headliners include Beach House, FKA twigs, Brian Wilson, Blood Orange, Carly Rae Jepsen and many others. It’s time for another round of adventurous music here in Chicago!!
Celebrating the cultural diversity of the Rogers Park neighborhood, the Celebrate Clark Street World Music Festival takes place at 1700 Morse Avenue (Clark St. and Morse Ave.) this Saturday (1:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.) and Sunday (1:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.). Two stages of live World Music, delicious food from various ethnic vendors from around the globe, a diverse arts & craft market and plenty of kids’ activities, such as the Swing Set Drum Set and the Paint by Number Mural, highlight this festival and promises something for everyone!
And finally, Sunday brings us the 38th annual Chinatown Summer Fair at Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road in Chinatown from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. This celebration of Asian culture features food from award-winning neighborhood restaurants, the revered Lion Dance Procession, Chinese classical dance and music, demonstrations of martial arts, a traveling Childrens Museum, a petting zoo, pony rides, a “hot legs” contest for men, a “cutest baby” contest and much, much more! You will definitely leave having experienced a world of both ancient and modern Chinese pleasures!!
This weekend’s Movies in the Parks are –
Saturday
“War Room” – Dawes Park (8052 S. Damen Ave.) – Auburn Gresham
“Spare Parts” – Langley Playlot Park (11255 S. Langley Ave.) – Pullman
“Inside Out” – Loyola Park (1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.) – East Rogers Park
Sunday
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” – Hiawatha Park (8029 W. Forest Preserve Dr.) – Dunning
“Jurassic Park” – Jonquil Playlot Park (1001 W. Wrightwood Ave.) – Lincoln Park
“The Martian” – Lake Shore Park (808 N. Lake Shore Dr.) – Near North
Enjoy These Great Summer Weekends While We Have Them!I
SUE MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
