THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Summer Shaping Up to Be an Amazing One!

This summer in Chicago is really shaping up to be an amazing one with non-stop fun as many of our favorite family-friendly street festivals and other events return! Here’s what’s taking place this weekend!!

The largest car show in North America, the Chicago Auto Show, has returned to McCormick Place (2301 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the South Loop through this Monday (July 19) for a special edition summer convention. As always, this event will showcase more than 1,000 domestic and imported vehicles that include cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, and concept cars; auto-related exhibits; competition vehicles and projects; antique and collector cars; and interactive displays for the kids to enjoy. Also, in addition to the show’s regular programming, auto show fans will find expanded outdoor events like test drives, test tracks, technology demonstrations, and more that will take place along Indiana Avenue and other surrounding streets now that the show was moved to the West Building!

The top-ranked art and design show, Millennium Art Festival, returns this weekend to the heart of downtown Chicago at Michigan Avenue and East Lake Street. Guests can browse an array of artwork provided by over 110 juried artists which include paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography, and furniture. You can also speak with the artists and artisans themselves, and even make purchases during this event!

Chicago Sport and Social Club’s annual Volleywood festival returns to North Avenue Beach in the Lincoln Park neighborhood this Saturday. This one-day event of live music provides 8 hours of tunes for you to groove to on the sands of the beach along with food and interactive experiences. Purchase a general admission ticket or spring for a cabana stocked with beer, refreshments, and private restrooms for you and eleven of your friends. It’s the city’s last remaining beachfront music fest!

Back and ready to kick-off Chicago’s summer street fest season this weekend is the Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest for its 36th annual event in the heart of the Lakeview neighborhood. Don’t miss top local tribute bands like Wedding Banned on the main stage, or the second eclectic community entertainment stage filled with fun neighborhood music acts, DJs, and other performers. Plus, you’ll find food & drinks, a kids’ play area, and plenty of craft vendors to browse while hanging out on the street!

Based on a traditional Mexican market known as the Tianguis, the Tacos y Tamales Festival will take place this weekend at 16th and Peoria Streets in the Pilsen neighborhood. Besides offering the best and most authentic tacos y tamales Chicago has to offer, there will be two performance stages featuring live music and DJs with traditional acts, interactive dance performances, and high-energy Latin rock into the night. Also on hand will be local art installations, merchant vendors, a beer garden featuring Modelo’s portfolio of products, and more!

Let’s not forget our four-legged family members who also endured this past year and a half with their humans indoors! The Andersonville Dog Days of Summer will be held Saturday (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) on Catalpa Ave. between Clark St. & Ashland Ave. featuring pet-friendly activities, vendors, treats, and more. There is also the Dog Days of Summer Chicago being held Saturday (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) at Southport CTA Plaza in the Lakeview neighborhood featuring a play & splash Outdoor Pool Party, a Paint your Pet Classes, Puppy Training Classes, a Doggie Photo Booth, and Miss Foozie leading the pet parade!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago