THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Summer Begins – Officially!
Finally, it’s officially summer; however, our summer temps are lagging and won’t return to full force until next week. In the meantime, this last weekend of June continues to bring us summer favorite events and the culmination of Pride Month! Shall we get started?
Celebrate Pride at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood this Saturday for an unforgettable day of free events featuring a vibrant lineup of live music, captivating performances from local LGBTQIA+ artists, plenty of dancing, educational programs, as well as the Community Pride Market featuring local LGBTQIA+ small businesses. It’s a celebration for a colorful summer experience filled with Pride and community!
Celebrate Pride at OUT at Gallagher Way (3637 N. Clark St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood this Saturday for their free, family-friendly all-day event featuring balloon artists, face painters, bracelet-making, kids’ karaoke, lawn games, Voguing classes, and giveaways. Plus, enjoy performances by the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus and Rock & Roll Playhouse!
Join thousands of Chicagoans lining the streets of the Lakeview neighborhood for the 55th annual Chicago Pride Parade this Sunday in culmination of Pride Month. Over 150 entrants from local communities, organizations, and businesses along with dazzling floats, marching bands, and performers will be marching in the parade with this year’s theme being “Free to Be Proud.” The parade kicks-off promptly at 11:00 a.m. from West Sheridan Road and Broadway Avenue; however, the most popular spot to view the parade is along the Northalsted corridor between Belmont Avenue and Addison Street. It’s Chicago’s way of celebrating love, diversity, equality, and community!
Also taking place this Saturday (11 a.m.-10 p.m.) is the Chicago Taco & Tequila Fest at Wrightwood Park (2555 N. Ashland Ave.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Enjoy a day filled with bold flavors from 13 Chicagoland restaurants along with an optional eight curated tequila samples and/or margarita flight, and live music providing non-stop festive vibes. In addition, there’s a kid’s area for families to enjoy as well. It’s a full-on summer celebration not to be missed!
After a one-year hiatus, the Logan Square Arts Festival is celebrating their neighborhood’s diversity and spirit this Saturday and Sunday around the historic Illinois Centennial Monument at Logan Boulevard and Milwaukee Avenue. Of course, this year’s festival is back better and bigger than before with two stages of live music featuring 38 musical acts, art installations, double the local vendor markets, food, and drinks!
From June through September, Movies in the Parks return with over 90 movies in various parks across Chicago as part of the Chicago Park District’s annual program. These free outdoor film screenings are held under the stars and typically begin at 8:45 p.m., or dusk, each evening. So, bring some chairs or blankets, your favorite movie munchies, and enjoy an evening under the stars watching a free movie! This Saturday’s movies are: The Princess and the Frog at Carver (George Washington) Park (939 E. 132nd St.) in the Altgeld Gardens neighborhood; and School of Rock at Burnham (Daniel) Park (1200-5700 S. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Dr.) which sits on Chicago’s Lakefront just south of Grant Park.
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
