THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Keeping Up with Summer’s Pace!

Are you ready to keep up with summer’s pace this post-Fourth of July weekend?  Well, ready or not, here’s your Chicago weekend line-up!

Popping up this weekend for its 10th year (Saturday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. & Sunday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) is the top-ranked art and design show Millennium Art Festival at Michigan Avenue and East Lake Street in The Loop.  This festival features an array of artwork including ceramics, furniture, paintings, and photography from over 110 juried artists.  Live performances, tasty treats, and interactive art-filled experiences are blended together to craft an experience of art exploration like no other!

Celebrating 50 years of Reggae music and saluting Chicago’s founding father, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Bicentennial this year, the 26th annual African/Caribbean International Festival of Life takes place this weekend at Union Park (1501 W. Randolph St.) on the Near West Side.  This festival showcases diverse cultures and music from many nations, primarily from the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, and the United States.  Some 200 vendors/exhibitors and sponsors will be on hand branding, selling, and sampling products.  There’s something for the entire family with music, food, games, and more!

West Fest returns to the West Town neighborhood on Chicago Avenue between Damen Avenue and Wood Street this Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.  Not only does this fest feature neighborhood retailers and restaurants, fine artists, crafters, and more, but there’s also a music stage featuring current and diverse original live music as well as a DJ stage with high profile local, national, and international DJs.  There’s even two fests within the West Fest site:  Pet Fest (12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.) featuring a charity dog wash, a dog obstacle course, paw painting, pet retail booths, pet-related demonstrations, and more, and Kid Fest (12:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.) featuring train rides, bounce houses, an inflatable super slide, pony rides, carnival games ,and more!!

In addition to great music and Irish dance, Irish Fest will be packed with festival favorites this weekend at the Irish American Heritage Center (4626 N. Knox Ave.) in the Mayfair neighborhood.  Besides the usual Irish and American food and drink, cultural exhibits, vendors and artisans selling Irish clothing, music and jewelry, Irish Fest will feature a young Irish fellowship bags tournament (Sunday 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.) and children’s activities in their outdoor kids’ area featuring group games, arts & crafts, a bounce house, and more with fun for the whole family!  There’s even a ShamROCK Stars Singing Contest for kids 18 and under!!

Your Movies in the Parks for this weekend are listed below.  Again, all movies begin at dusk (8:30 p.m.).  Get ready for a fun summer in the parks!

Friday, July 6th:
“Leap” – LaVillita Park (2800 S. Sacramento Blvd.) – South Lawndale
“Love Songs” – Holstein Park (2200 N. Oakley Ave.) – Logan Square
“The Sandlot” – Dunham Park (4638 N. Melvina Ave.) – West Portage Park
“The Lion King” – Mayfair Park (4550 W. Sunnyside Ave.) – Mayfair Park

Saturday, July 7th:
“Looney Tunes Cartoon Pack #4” – Indian Boundary Park (2500 W. Lunt Ave.) – West Ridge
“War for the Planet of the Apes” – Kennicott Park (4434 S. Lake Park Ave.) – Oakland
“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” – Oz Park (2021 N. Burling St.) – Lincoln Park

Are You Ready Now?