THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Gearing-Up for Arrival of Summer!
I so look forward to weekends in Chicago because there is always something fun going on rain or shine, cold or hot! This weekend is no exception as Chicagoans begin gearing-up for the arrival of summer!!
The 19th annual Kids and Kites Festival returns to Cricket Hill (600 W. Montrose Dr.) in the Uptown neighborhood on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring a kite to fly or build your own as the city once again will provide kite kits for children to build and decorate, while supplies last. Also, weather permitting, the Big Kite Candy Drop – a piñata-like kite filled with candies – will take place in the afternoon as well as other kid-friendly activities including balloon artists, crafts and face painting. And, new this year, the Windjammers International Kite Team will wow the crowd with their synchronized kite flying maneuvers while other professional kite flyers will demonstrate their skills with oversized and uniquely-shaped kites! It’s time to Go Fly a Kite!!
The 13th annual Run to Remember takes place on Saturday (7:55 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) at the Gold Star Families Memorial & Park (1410 S. Museum Campus Dr.) in the South Loop just east of Soldier Field. Over 5,000 police officers, families of fallen officers, supporters of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation and citizens are expected to participate in this 5K USATF certified chip-timed 5K Run, or a non-competitive 5K Walk, along Chicago’s beautiful lakefront. A junior jog, appearances by the CPD Mounted Unit, K-9 Unit and helicopter unit as well as a kids’ activities area and more round-out this event. There’s even awards and a family-friendly after party! Come support our CPD!!
Here’s a summer kick-off you don’t need a game-day ticket for! The Chicago Beer Classic will be celebrating over 100 unique beers from more than 30 local breweries on the grass at Soldier Field (1410 S. Museum Campus Dr.) in the South Loop on Saturday (Session 1 – 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Session 2 – 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.). Guests will also get to enjoy food, games and activities, an interactive beer education and much more at the city’s largest beer festival! General or VIP admissions are available. Bottoms up!!
The City’s Chicago Park District will be springing into summer, along with ComEd, at this year’s Switch On Summer 2017 at Buckingham Fountain (500 S. Columbus Dr.) in the South Loop on Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Come celebrate the 90th birthday of Buckingham Fountain hosted by Ana Belaval (local TV personality) and watch our historic fountain officially switch on at 6:00 p.m.! Family activities, fun games, free giveaways, live entertainment and music are all part of the celebration as well!!
Now is the time to gear up for the arrival of summer at TheFitExpo Chicago, held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Rd.) in Rosemont this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.). It’s an action-packed health and fitness weekend offering a variety of events and major competitions which include Battle of the Bars, a dodgeball competition, educational seminars, The FitExpo Group Training Zone, a Healthy Living Pavilion, Kids and Youth, and much, much more. Plus, top fitness stars and a giant expo floor with 200 booths! Start working on your summer body!!
And, for our four-legged family members, The Anti-Cruelty Society will be hosting a Pet Wellness Fair at the Breakthrough FamilyPlex (3219 W. Carroll Ave.) in the East Garfield Park neighborhood on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. They will be offering FREE pet services that include vaccines, microchips, nail trims, training demos, pet care, a safety around animals puppet show, family activities and more!
Who’s Going to Gear-Up for Summer with Me?
