THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Get to Know Your Neighborhoods!

Preparing for another school season here in Chicago?  Take a break this weekend and have fun getting to know your neighborhoods!

Returning to the “Lincoln Park Neighborhood” for its 5th year, the Chicago Hot Dog Fest sets up on the South Fields of Lincoln Park (1701 N. Stockton Dr.) this Saturday (11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.) and Sunday (11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.).  Celebrating the city’s 100-year love affair with this encased meat, this Fest features tasty treats from top vendors such as Byron’s Hot Dogs, Big Bob & Fritzy’s, Downtown Dogs and many more with the star of the event — Vienna® Beef hot dogs!  A tasty lineup of local and touring bands and hot dog history speakers on the Speaker’s Stage round-out this event.  So, go ahead and take a bite out of Chicago’s history!!

Returning to the “Lakeview Neighborhood” for its 36th year, the Northalsted Market Days takes place on Halsted Street from Belmont Avenue to Addison Street this Saturday and Sunday (11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.).  Billed as the largest outdoor street festival in the Midwest, this event features a vast array of live music on four stages, an eclectic mix of nearly 300 unique vendors, arts, crafts and plenty of food and drink!  Expect huge crowds for this one!!

Returning to the “Roscoe Village Neighborhood” for its 21st year, Retro on Roscoe spans a six-block stretch beginning at Damen Avenue and Roscoe Street (2000 W. Roscoe St.) this Saturday and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.).  Three stages will offer live music of oldies and throwbacks.  Beautiful tree-lined streets will be filled with artisans, antique vendors, and merchants for an offbeat shopping atmosphere.  A family area offers inflatables, crafts, balloon artists, face painting, music and more for the kids. Meanwhile, the adults can view over 50 antique, classic and muscle cars at Retro’s Antique Car Show!  Ever wish you could go back in time?

Returning to the “Belmont/Cragin Neighborhood” for its 8th year, Festival Cubano is the largest Latino music festival in Chicago. It takes place in Riis Park (6100 W. Fullerton Ave.) this Saturday and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.).  Besides plenty of music from Cuba and Latin America featuring Grammy Award winning artists on two stages, attendees can enjoy a wide variety of over 150 food and merchandise vendors, an expanded carnival area, cooking demonstrations and cook-offs, a beer lounge and hand-rolled cigar bar, the popular Kids’ Zone, and much, much more!  It’s Cuban heritage at its finest!!

Returning to the “Bronzeville Neighborhood” for its 88th year, the Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic will once again kick off at King Drive and Oakwood Boulevard this Saturday at 10:00 a.m.  Billed as the oldest and largest African American parade in the U.S., and a part of Chicago since 1929, this year’s theme is “Honoring our Hometown Heroes” with Chance the Rapper as Grand Marshall!  Afterwards, activities will continue in Washington Park (Garfield Blvd. and Elsworth Dr.) with free giveaways and other treats!!  Time to get ready for school!!!

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

Saturday
Moana – Chicago Women’s Park (1801 S. Indiana Ave.) – Near South Side
The Sandlot – Stout Park (5312 S. Greenwood Ave.) – Hyde Park
Trolls – Willye B. White Park (formerly Gale Park) (1610 W. Howard St.) – Rogers Park

Sunday
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Jonquil Park (1063 W. Wrightwood Ave.) – Lincoln Park

How Well Do You Know Your Neighborhoods?