CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lincoln Square, Edgewater, Portage Park

Lakeview: Applications are now open for The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival! Now in its 18th year, this festival runs from January 10-20, 2019. It celebrates the best in local, national, and international sketch comedy! Applications may be submitted through October 15, 2018 here.

Lincoln Park: It’s that time of year again- Bloody Mary Fest! This fantastic fest returns on Sunday, October 14 to the gorgeous lakefront venue Theatre on the Lake. From 12 to 3:30 pm, you can enjoy some of the city’s best Bloody Mary’s, specialty brunch- themed cocktails, craft beer, brunch bites, live music, lawn games, an Artisan Market, and more. There are general admission and VIP tickets available. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit K94Keeps, a non-profit organization that strives to place dogs with families in forever homes. Purchase your tickets here.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: With fall comes all kinds of fabulous fall festivals; like Boo-Palooza! On Saturday, October 27 from 10 am to 2 pm, you’ll have fall fun and support a great cause, as the festival is a fundraiser for the 2019 Create Series. There is a suggested donation of $10 per family. The day will include two costume parades- one for children, families, and adults; one for dogs and their owners- Mr. Dave Music and other exciting performances, a dog activity area, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, a maze, bobbing for apples, face painting, ghost bingo, and more. For more information about this exciting event, click here!

Lincoln Square: Vom Fass loves Oktoberfest and wants to celebrate with you! To kick off this fantastic season, Vom Fass Lincoln Square is hosting “Flavors of Fall: Cocktail & Liqueur Tasting” this Saturday, September 22 from 7-8:30 pm. At this fabulous fall event, you’ll sample their special Apple Pie liqueur and learn how to make Hot Toddies. Tickets are just $15. Hurry and buy yours here– they’re going fast!

Edgewater: Celebrate the last weekend of summer and give back to your community at the 1st Annual PAWS of Summer Benefit! This fabulous event will be hosted by Uncommon Ground in Edgewater on Saturday, September 29 from 2 to 6 pm. You’ll enjoy music, cocktails, food, prizes, Uncommon Ground’s rooftop farm tours, and more! The price of admission will benefit two causes: Care for Real and Edgewater Dog Park. Ticket prices include food, drinks, entertainment, guided rooftop farm tours, doggy swag bags, and entertainment. You can make additional donations for a raffle and silent auction. Tickets are $60 per person, $100 for two people, and $10 per dog (limited quantities). You can purchase your tickets here.

Portage Park: Get yourself over to the Patio Theater for a fabulous night supporting a good cause! This is an all-ages benefit concert for the nonprofit organization PAVE, which works to empower and educate people in an effort to end sexual violence. American Idol star Haley Reinhart (Season 10) will perform! Selah Freedom, an organization that combats human sex trafficking, is another beneficiary of the concert. General admission tickets are just $22 and can be purchased at helpthemovement.org. The show is on Saturday, September 29. Doors open at 7 pm and the concert begins at 8 pm.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO