THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – IT’S JULY 4TH – CHICAGO-STYLE!!
THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – IT’S JULY 4TH – CHICAGO-STYLE!!
Returning for its 7th year at Lawrence Avenue and Broadway Street in the Uptown neighborhood is the Windy City RibFest this Saturday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) with its finger lickin’ slabs from the best local and national ribbers around. As usual our renowned barbecuing pros such as BBQ King Smokehouse Chicago BBQ Company Porky Chicks BBQ and others will be competing for the Best Ribs award. But ribs aren’t the only feature there’s a daytime play area for the kids arts & crafts beer and wine plus a rockin’ music stage lineup featuring the hottest local and national rock/pop classic indie acts and local tribute bands!
Now in its 23rd year the African Caribbean International Festival of Life returns to Union Park (1501 W. Randolph St.) in the West Loop neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with over 50 world music acts performing the best of Reggae Caribbean Latin African Pop R&B Jazz and Gospel on three stages in celebration of the African and Caribbean culture. In fact Tessane Chin NBC’s “The Voice” Winner will be performing on Saturday! But besides spectacular music over 200 vendors will be displaying and selling arts & crafts while over 20 food vendors will be selling food from the two regions. And this family-friendly event has a NEW Kids Pavilion with rides and games!!
The 56th annual Fourth of July Celebration is again being hosted at the Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark St.) on the Uihlein Plaza in the Lincoln Park neighborhood this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This family-friendly event includes a children’s costume parade led by the World’s Tallest Uncle Sam patriotic music a reading of the Declaration of Independence and more! Afterward the Museum opens to the public with free admission for Illinois residents!!
Finally here’s a rundown of July 4th firework displays taking place on Saturday evening –
The Second Annual Freedom Fest takes place on Navy Pier’s Rooftop (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood at 6:30 p.m. and is the absolute best place to watch the firework spectacular! But before then delicious BBQ a full bar and music by a live DJ will keep the evening festive for this family-friendly event!
The Fourth of July Fireworks at Navy Pier will take place at 10:15 p.m. with a 15-minute fireworks display complemented by patriotic music. You can watch from Navy Pier’s dock or 1000 feet above the city at 360 Chicago (John Hancock Observatory) or board an evening cruise with Chicago’s First Lady Cruises Shoreline Sightseeing Company Odyssey Cruises Spirit of Chicago or Mystic Blue all located at Navy Pier!
This weekend’s Movies in the Parks are –
Sunday
“Teen Wolf” – Jonquil Park (1023 W. Wrightwood Ave.) – Lincoln Park
A teen boy mysteriously turns into a wolf in this classic film!
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY – CHICAGO-STYLE!!!
SUE MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
