THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Chicagoans Celebrate Extended Weekend for July 4th Holiday!

Not only do Chicagoans get to welcome the month of July on a weekend, but some of us are lucky enough to have an extended four-day weekend as the July 4th holiday falls on Tuesday!

The 9th annual Windy City RibFest returns to the Uptown neighborhood at Lawrence Avenue and Broadway Street this Saturday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.). The best local and national ribbers will be offering their tastiest and sauciest slabs!  RibFest also features an eclectic music lineup, arts/crafts and a daytime kids’ activity area!  It’s a must-visit Chicago summer food and music fest!!

The 25th anniversary of the African/Caribbean International Festival of Life returns to the West Loop neighborhood at Union Park (1501 W. Randolph St.) this Saturday through Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  Enjoy days of spectacular food; fashion, arts and crafts from exhibitors; dancing and live music from over 70 acts featuring the best of Reggae, Caribbean, R&B, Gospel, African, Jazz, Latin, Pop and more at this family-friendly event!

In its first year, Live on Lincoln features a star-studded lineup from Saturday 12:00 p.m. to Sunday 10:00 p.m. in the Lakeview neighborhood at 3200 N. Lincoln Ave.  So, kick-off your 4th of July weekend with some of the best names in indie rock, jam band and funk music, along with vendors from the local community!

Enjoy the summer’s biggest holiday in Chicago with festive events that salute our nation and honor its history at any one of the following July 4th events this Tuesday –

The Grant Park Music Festival: Independence Day Salute is a free event taking place at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.  Bring your family and friends for a July 4th celebration under the stars with an evening of patriotic favorites that include Stars and Stripes Forever, the 1812 Overture and more!

Or, celebrate your July 4th at one of the best events going down this year.  The 4th annual Freedom Fest at Navy Pier’s Rooftop (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood is the perfect spot to view the fireworks.  But before then, delicious BBQ food items, a full cash bar and a live DJ will be on hand to help you celebrate all night long!  Don’t miss out on this great event!!

And finally, at 9:30 p.m., it’s time to enjoy a spectacular show of pyrotechnics at this year’s Fourth of July Fireworks at Navy Pier.  Once again, patriotic music will complement the fireworks display and can be viewed from the pier, Millennium Park, the lakefront or aboard one of the many fireworks cruises available!

This weekend’s Chicago’s Movies in the Park are:

Saturday
Pete’s Dragon – Seward Park (375 W. Elm St.) – Near North Side
Sing – Senn Playlot Park (5887 N. Ridge Ave.) — Edgewater

Sunday
The Secret Life of Pets – Independence Park (3945 N. Springfield Ave.) – Old Irving Park

Have A Happy & Safe Fourth of July – Extended Weekend or Not!!!