THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Enjoying Summer’s Remaining Weekends!
Are you ready to give the remaining summer weekends all you’ve got? I hope so because there’s only two more weekends after this one before autumn officially arrives! So, let’s see what the city and its various neighborhoods have planned for us.
Returning to its home in Grant Park (301 S. Columbus Dr.) in The Loop, and now being held in September instead of the first weekend of July, the Taste of Chicago takes place this Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. This annual food and music festival will feature over 35 vendors and 15 food trucks showcasing the diversity of Chicago’s culinary offerings along with world-class musical performances. Plus, there are many other activities featured some of which include: the Lifeway Foods Family Village where there’s plenty of kid-friendly fun activities for the little ones; for the adults, there’s the Chicago Sings Karaoke with a grand prize of $500 to the crowned winner; and the annual Eli’s Cheesecake Birthday Celebration beginning with performances and ending with the arrival and cutting of the 1,000-pound Eli’s Cheesecake, and a free piece of cake being offered to attendees while supplies last!
Celebrate Chicago’s diverse communities at the 4th annual World Dumpling Fest this Saturday (12 p.m.-7 p.m.) on Milwaukee Avenue at Logan Square Park (3150 W. Logan Blvd.) in the Logan Square neighborhood. This fest features diverse cultural dumplings from over 10 vendors that include Chinese bao, pierogi, Haitian doumbrey, empanadas, Filipino lumpia, and many other dumplings. Plus, artists will perform a variety of dances and music from different cultural traditions on the main stage such as Korean drumming, South Asian dance, Puerto Rican bomba dancers, and others!
The much-anticipated 3rd annual Chicago Brew Fest returns this Saturday (1 p.m.-5 p.m.) at the Irish American Heritage Center (4626 N. Knox Ave.) in the Albany Park neighborhood. This fest serves up the city’s finest and best craft beers and ciders along with BBQ provided by Chicago’s favorite Soul & Smoke for an unforgettable day of indulging!
The largest free outdoor literary showcase in the Midwest takes place this Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) with the 38th annual Printers Row Lit Fest spanning five blocks on Dearborn Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Polk Street, and Polk Street from State to Clark Streets. This huge outdoor book market not only features selected offerings from over 100 booksellers representing tattered to “hot off the press,” and newly published, but also offers talks with the artists and authors!
One of the premier fine art outdoor festivals being held this Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) is the 18th annual Lakeview East Festival of the Arts along Broadway Street from Belmont Avenue to Hawthorne Place in the Lakeview neighborhood. Over 120-juried artists will be featuring original paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry, and more. Plus, the festival includes live music on multiple stages, wine, beer and food vendors, an interactive garden oasis, a Kidzone to keep the little ones entertained, and much more!
Finally, the annual PAWS Chicago 5K takes place this Saturday (7:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.) at Montrose Harbor, Grove 16 (4400 N. Lake Shore Dr.) in the Uptown neighborhood. Both dogs and their humans will make their way along a lakefront course to raise money in support of this local no-kill animal shelter. After crossing the finish line, it’s time to enjoy live entertainment that includes a dog agility course and a doggy oasis with pools for cooling off! And, if you don’t have a dog, there will be plenty around for you to pet, or maybe, even to adopt!!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
