THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – IT’S JULY ALREADY – WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – IT’S JULY ALREADY – WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!

I can’t believe it’s July 11^th already and that another weekend is upon us! I suppose we need to stop having so much fun so our summer time doesn’t flash before our eyes. I’m not ready for cold weather yet and I don’t think you are either.

But we Chicagoans know how to cherish our "limited" summer weather around here and true to form the City and its surrounding neighborhoods are continuing with their outdoor festivals rain or shine. Again it’s a huge festival weekend so I’m only going to give you two choices here but you can go to Metromix for a more detailed listing of all the happenings around town today Saturday and Sunday.

The 15^th Annual Rock Around the Block at Lincoln and Addison will provide three stages of more than 30 local bands for your musical enjoyment. Also for your entertainment while strolling around there will be street performers and food vendors as well as arts and crafts; however there is a slight fee of $5 to gain entry. Click here for more details and a schedule of musical performances.

For something with a little more variety music-wise the 11^th Annual Chicago Folk and Roots Festival will take place this Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in Welles Park (2333 W. Sunnyside) in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. There’s a suggested donation of $7 ($3 for kids and seniors) and please be on notice that there is no dogs bikes coolers bottles or recording devices allowed in the park! Click here for more details.

For those of you who wish to get outdoors but prefer to tone it down a bit the Chicago Tribune Magnificent Mile Art Festival will be held this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) in the River North neighborhood (Pioneer Court 401 N. Michigan Ave.). Admission is free. Click here for more information.

For my athletic and competitive readers out there try these festivities on for size –

L.A.T.E. Ride 2008 will gather at Buckingham Fountain (500 S. Lake Shore Dr.). Pre-ride festivities kick-off at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday with the ride beginning at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. Price is $35-$40 and is limited to 10000 participants. This is a great way to view downtown and some of Chicago’s North Side neighborhoods during the twilight hours. Click here for registration and route information.

For you sun worshipers the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour is in town this weekend at Oak Street Beach in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Men’s finals are Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and women’s finals are Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Price is $20-$40 however you can purchase an all-weekend pass for $50-$100. Click here for more details.

Finally don’t forget the Chicago Cubs are in town this weekend hosting the San Francisco Giants. If you’re lucky enough to get a ticket go for it! Our Cubbies are "red hot" this year.

AHH summer is here and "my" living is easy – is yours?

SUE MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO