THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Summer Festivals Kicking It Up A Notch!

You can’t beat summer in Chicago!  Although it would be nice to have some steady summer weather around here.  But weather aside, this June weekend is kicking it up a notch with the following summer festivals and then some!!

The city’s largest music festival takes center stage this Saturday and Sunday with the Chicago Blues Festival in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop.  This festival celebrates the genre’s music legacy in Chicago and rich heritage with a diverse lineup of local and national blues artists performing on six stages!  Music begins each day at 11:00 a.m. and headliners will be featured from 5:00 p.m-9:00 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.  Come join the celebration and see why blues musicians sing about “sweet home Chicago!”

Share your love for literature at this year’s Printers Row Lit Fest this Saturday and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) at Printers Row Park (47 W. Polk St.) in the South Loop.  Marking its 35th year with an expanded outdoor presence, this fest will feature selected offerings from over 100 booksellers with everything from the tattered to the rare to the “hot off the presses” newly published works!  Civic leader Valerie Jarrett and bestselling author Alex Kotlowitz will be among the 2019 Lit Fest programming highlights. Come check out the largest free outdoor literary showcase in the Midwest!!

Celebrating its 45th year, the Wells Street Art Fest sets up shop at 1500 N. Wells St. (on Wells between North Ave. and Division St.) this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.) and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.) in the Old Town neighborhood.  Besides featuring over 225 juried artists from across the continent, this art fest also features music by local performance artists and cover/tribute bands; a kids’ play area with arts & crafts and performance participation opportunities; and cuisine from 20+ food and drink vendors selling a variety of tasty treats!  It’s an early summer art extravaganza!!

One of Chicago’s most legendary street festivals returns this Saturday and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) to the Andersonville neighborhood with the 54th Midsommarfest at 5200 N. Clark St. (between Foster & Catalpa Avenues).  You will be transported back to old-world Swedish traditions in a weekend filled with tangy international food, eclectic music, artisans, and vendors.  Plus an array of family friendly activities allows for kids of all ages to enjoy a pet parade, face painting, and more!  It’s a festival that really has something for everyone!!

Rolling into the Pilsen neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) is the 5th annual Pilsen Food Truck Social held on 18th St. between Racine Ave. and Throop St.  Needless to say, dozens of the most popular food trucks will be the centerpiece at this neighborhood street fest that also features local restaurant and retail vendors.  Plus Pilsen’s own Thalia Hall, in partnership with Empty Bottle Presents, will provide a live music stage- promising a mix of relevant and cutting-edge live music and local performances!

This weekend’s sporting events include:  the Chicago Cubs hosting the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood, and the Chicago Bandits hosting the Cleveland Comets at Parkway Bank Sports Complex (27 Jennie Finch Way) in Rosemont providing high levels of softball talent and entertainment on Saturday (7:35 p.m.) and Sunday (3:05 p.m.).

Will You Be Kicking It Up A Notch As Well?