THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Another Weekend of Fests, Food & Fun!

Who’s ready for another Chicago summer weekend packed with fests, food and fun?  If so, let’s get you started with these events!

It’s time to get ready for more beer and BBQ along with an impressive lineup of country music stars at the 5th annual Windy City Smokeout! The fest is located in the River North neighborhood at 560 W. Grand Avenue near the Chicago River this Saturday and Sunday (gates opening at 12:00 p.m.).  Hosted by Bub City and Joe’s on Weed Street, this premier BBQ, craft beer and country music festival will be serving up some of the best finger-lickin’ BBQ eats from 13 of the finest pit masters nationwide, sudsy brews from both local and national breweries, and a country music line-up featuring world-renowned artists as well as up-and-coming talent!  Exciting events such as the Whole Hog Brunch, the Crawfish Boil & Oyster Roast and more are available for an extra admission fee to enhance your Smokeout experiencel!!

One of the north side’s longest-running family festivals, BenFest, returns to the North Center neighborhood this Saturday (1:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) and Sunday (1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.) at St. Benedict Church (2215 W. Irving Park Rd.).  Besides a mouthwatering menu, craft beer, live entertainment and fabulous family fun, “Rock the Fest” is back! This features the best kids’ bands in the Chicagoland area from 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Saturday on the Main Stage, with some of the region’s most talented young artists!  In fact, the Chicago Tribune has named BenFest “one of the Best Family Fests!!”

Celebrating its 12th year, the internationally recognized Pitchfork Music Festival returns to Union Park (1501 W. Randolph St.) in the West Town neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday.  Presenting 40+ bands, this festival highlights the best in new and emerging music and has consistently proven to be one of the most welcoming, reasonably-priced and rewarding music weekends around!  It also offers a wide array of activities beyond the music with individual local vendors, specialty fairs and more! They also offer a Pitchfork PLUS+ upgrade to experience the festival like never before!!  And, don’t forget to Wear Orange!!!

Soldier Field (1410 S. Museum Campus Dr.) in the South Loop is the place to be this Saturday (8:55 p.m.-11:00 p.m.) for The Glo Run.  This chip-timed 5K takes participants through a course filled with music and five neon luau-themed zones consisting of the Giant Pineapples Glo Zone, Black Lights Luau Glo Zone, Luau Photo Op Glo Zone, Dancing Luau Giants Glo Zone and the Arches of Luau Glo Zone. Then it’s back to the Luau Rock Finish Fest Zone where a DJ starts bustin’ jams at 9:15 p.m.!  There’s definitely going to be a lot of GLO & MUSIC at this event!!

Chicago’s Movies in the Park for this weekend are:

Saturday
Madea’s Tough Love – Washington Park (5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr.) – Washington Park
Toy Story – Horner Park (2741 W. Montrose Ave.) – Irving Park

Sunday
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Piotrowski Park (4247 W. 31
st St.) — Lawndale

Are You Ready for More Fests, Food & Fun?