CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, River North, Edgewater, Oak Park

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Save the date for the annual WPB Neighborhood Guide Release Party! Come on down to The Robey Chicago and celebrate on Wednesday, June 20 from 6 to 9 pm. Local businesses, residents, and community partners are encouraged to attend for a first look at the guide and a night of neighborhood celebration. There will be drinks, as well as special VIP Robey Hotel group tours. Space is limited and RSVP is required. Register here now!

Lincoln Park: Celebrate summer with Lincoln Central Association’s Summer Sipper. This marks the fourth year of this event, which will be held on Sunday, June 24 from 5 to 7 pm. The event is at LCA’s award-winning Fire Station Park & Gardens (located at Larrabee and Armitage). Food and beverages will be served from Lincoln Park favorites like Geja’s Cafe, J9, and more; as well as treats prepared by LCA members using ingredients grown in the gardens at Fire Station park. Benjamin Barnes, one of Chicago’s premier magicians, will provide magical entertainment throughout the evening! Admission is free, so come on down!

Lakeview: It’s time for Chicago Pride Fest! Held on June 16-17, this exciting two-day street festival is held the weekend before the Chicago Pride Parade marches its way through Boystown. The festival features live music by popular artists on three stages, food and drink, over 100 arts, crafts, and merchant vendors, DJs and dancing, drag shows, a pet parade, and more. There is a $10 suggested donation. The festival is in Boystown, on Halsted Street from Addison to Grace. The festival is from 11 am to 10 pm both days. Find more information here!

River North: Did you know there’s a National Gin Day? Well, now you do! And what better day could there be for a Mixology class? Bernie’s Lunch & Supper is hosting Mixology Monday: Bartending 101 in conjunction with Death’s Door Gin. This intro class will highlight both classic and original gin cocktails. Bernie’s mixologist Eric Jobes will walk you through three of the most popular cocktails! No prior mixology experience is needed and all materials will be provided. The event begins at 6:30 pm on the rooftop and light appetizers will be served until 7:30 pm. Tickets are $55 and can be purchased here.

Edgewater: Peterson Garden Projects Cookbook Club is back! Each event has a theme, either a cuisine, a style of cooking, or a region. Choose any recipe from any cookbook to bring to the dinner! June’s theme is Middle Eastern cuisine. A few suggested cookbooks are Jerusalem: A Cookbook, Olives, Lemons, & Zatar: The Best Middle Eastern Home Cooking, and Aromas of Aleppo. Here’s how Cookbook Club works. Register online and you’ll receive a link to a Google Document. There, you’ll input the name of the recipe you chose, the cookbook, blog, or website your recipe is from, and if you need oven/stove space for reheating/keeping your dish warm. Then head up to Peterson Garden Projects on Tuesday, June 12 at 7 pm. You’ll share dishes, drink (BYOB is welcome!), chat about the recipes, and pick a theme for the next meeting. Register and find more information here!

Oak Park: Let your kiddos get a little wild on Wednesdays! Join Garfield Park Conservatory for Wild Wednesdays, held weekly. Your kids will explore nature, get their hands dirty, and discover new things about plants and animals. Can you find and identify fake bugs in the dig pit? Are you ready to adventure through the Conservatory to find rare and unusual plants? This evening of imagination and exploration is sure to make Wednesday the best night of your child’s week. Come in with your little one and let the learning begin! The event is from 4-7 pm and is free to attend. Find more information here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO