THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Passing Time Awaiting Arrival of Halloween!
Another October weekend is upon us, and before you know it, we’ll be celebrating Halloween! Until then, your choices for this weekend vary from city tours to taste tests to Halloween-themed events.
For one October weekend only, the Chicago Architecture Center proudly hosts Open House Chicago in various venues throughout Chicago this weekend. This is a free annual festival where attendees have the chance to tour and go behind the scenes of over 170 architectural wonders in 20+ neighborhoods. Plus, new additions have been added this year like the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, the Pullman National Historical Park, and many more. You’ll also find tips and itineraries for exploring shopping, dining, and other attractions in each neighborhood!
Known as the Superbowl of Wine, WineRival returns to Venue West (221 N. Paulina St.) on the Near West Side this Sunday (5:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.). To start things off, guests can sample dozens of the world’s best wineries and fill-up on endless bites at the free-range Tailgate Tasting event. Then, competing world-class sommeliers face off in a six-round challenge of blind tastings which are judged by a panel of wine professionals. The winner of this event will receive $25,000 in cash with the runner-up receiving $3,000, and the other two final contestants receiving $1,000. Best of all, the competition is open to everyone and anyone!
Come and partake in Chicago’s 10th Bloody Mary Fest this Sunday (8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) at Theatre on the Lake (2401 N. Lake Shore Dr.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. This all-day celebration offers guests the chance to sample a collection of the finest Bloody Mary cocktails then voting who should be crowned Chicago’s Best Bloody Mary. In addition, this fest features an artisan market, demonstrations, specialty brunch-themed cocktails, craft beer, brunch bites, lawn games, and much more!
With Halloween quickly approaching, there’s no better time than now to begin getting into the spirit of the season at the following events:
Rizzo’s Bar & Inn (3658 N. Clark St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood brings you Sweet Dreams The Halloween Experience now through October 29th from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. This one-of-a-kind, massive, and twisted Halloween experience brings the nightmare to life by producing some of the most epic Halloween scenes from 20 classic horror movies such as Elm Street, Silent Hill, Candy Man, Killer Klowns, and others. In fact, don’t be surprised if you run into Freddy, Jason, Leatherface, or IT! Plus, your ticket includes one complimentary RTD cocktail or domestic draft upon entry. There’s even a specialty drink menu with discounted pricing available.
Ranked as one of the Most Haunted Hotels in America, the Congress Plaza Hotel (520 S. Michigan Ave.) in the South Loop brings you The Séance Experience this Saturday (7 p.m.-8 p.m. or 9 p.m.-10 p.m.). The séances will be held in an area of the hotel not usually opened to the public and are authentically re-created exactly as conducted in the 1800’s. Noted ghostly sightings of former hotel residents include Al Capone, Teddy Roosevelt, and Harry Houdini among others. Will you walk away from this classic Victorian Era séance having seen dead people?
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
