THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Spring is Budding and Blooming Everywhere!

Spring is certainly budding and blooming around here in Chicago as we welcome in another April spring weekend even though the city itself is still slowly reopening. However, there’s still a variety of events to get you out of the house for a while to enjoy spring! Here’s a few of those things to do this weekend.

Need to get some color back into your life? Then head on out to see some spring flowers in bloom at either one (or both) of these annual spring flower shows:

The Lincoln Park Conservatory (2391 N. Stockton Dr.) is excited to be welcoming guests back with its spring flower show “Pretty in Pink,” now through May 8. This beautiful show not only celebrates quintessential spring colors featuring blooms in many pink hues ranging from fuchsia to blush, but the blooming spring flowers also change throughout the season. The room will be filled with a rosy glow of azaleas, hydrangeas, peonies, tulips, and alyssum. And while you’re there, why not stop by and enjoy their Palm Room, Fern Room, and Orchid Room! After all, the plants bloom and change weekly!! Reservations, masks, and social distancing are required.

A vibrant canopy of spring flowers will greet you at the Garfield Park Conservatory’s (300 N. Central Park Ave.) spring flower show Saturation now through May 9. Instead of the typical garden, Saturation brings together a rainbow of colorful blooms to highlight the wide range of hues and tints within each color for their guest’s enjoyment! Admission is free, but you’ll still need to make a reservation since the conservatory is operating at a reduced capacity.

The Hard Rock Café (63 W. Ontario St.) is hosting the Luisiana Style Crawfish Boil & Day Party this Saturday (12 p.m.-6 p.m.) featuring Louisiana Celebrity Chef Allen Rochelle and Chicago’s top DJ Mark Flava. Sides include Cajun fried potato salad, red beans & rice, and jambalaya! There’s a max of 6 people per table with 6 feet of distance between tables, three 90-minute seatings, and limited capacity. But it’s an all-you-can-eat crawfish boil!!

It’s the first tour of the season! Eat the Parks: Lincoln Park North Pond will be held this Sunday (1 p.m.-3 p.m.) at the North Pond Nature Sanctuary located at 2610 N. Cannon Drive. Join Dave Odd, Chicago’s only full-time professional forager, as he walks you around the north pond to see all the wild and wonderful edible plants that grow right in the heart of our city. You’re guaranteed to learn about at least 50 edible plants! You also have the option to join in on a foraged dinner at The Willow Room (1800 N. Halsted St.) the following day at 5:30 p.m. to taste what was discovered on the walk!!

This Sunday through May 2, award-winning actress and historian Leslie Goddard presents Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962). Leslie will portray this iconic stateswoman who was our country’s longest-serving First Lady and beloved by many of her generation in a special first-person performance! This is a free event, but registration is required to obtain the program link.

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago