THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Summer Not Over Yet!
The countdown to the start of a new school year has begun but that doesn’t mean summer is over yet! Not this weekend, anyway!
It’s that time of year again to sound the clarion call for “Back to School” in celebration of Chicago’s youth with the 97th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade this Saturday (10 a.m.-4 p.m.). Beginning in the Bronzeville neighborhood at 39th Street and Martin Luther King Drive attendees can enjoy colorful floats, marching bands, and talented dance and drill teams as this two-mile route heads south to 51st Street and into Washington Park (5200 S. Hyde Park Blvd.) in the Hyde Park neighborhood where the celebration continues with the It Takes A Village Festival. This festival is packed with Sponsor & Vendor Activations from unique crafts to delicious food; Festival Performances by local artists and the Performing Arts League; a Job Employment Fair as well as on-site College Admissions; Free School Supplies; and much more. It’s always an unforgettable experience for those who attend!
One of the largest street festivals in the Midwest takes place this Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m.-10 p.m.) on Halsted Street from Belmont Avenue to Addison Street in the Northalsted/Lakeview neighborhood with the 44th annual Northalsted Market Days®. It’s a 1/2-mile-long celebration of 250+ vendors with one-of-a-kind finds, food and drink, dance exhibitions, drag performances, all-day lineups of high-energy live music and DJs on 5 stages, and more. You won’t be disappointed as this event is ranked as one of Chicago’s top 10 summer festivals!
Another highly popular event takes place this Saturday (11 a.m.-8 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) with the 71st annual Ginza Holiday Festival hosted by the Midwest Buddhist Temple and held in their parking lot at 435 West Menomonee Street in the Old Town neighborhood. Witness exciting performances on their main stage by Minyo dancers, Taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, and other groups; enjoy their famous and delicious grilled Chicken Teriyaki, Udon noodles, fresh Corn on the Cob and other menu items; browse the works of many craft artisans displaying their handmade crafts; and tour the Midwest Buddhist Temple’s chapel as you enjoy brief talks about Shin Buddhism. It’s been known that one can easily spend the whole day at Ginza!
Experience an unforgettable culinary journey at the Jarvis Square Pierogi Fiesta this Saturday (1 p.m.-10 p.m.) located at 1500-1508 West Jarvis Avenue in the Rogers Park neighborhood. This one-of-a-kind Chicago food festival will be serving up mountains of pierogi from traditional potato and cheese to adventurous, modern culinary twists; enjoy a perfect refreshing pairing of their signature Pierogi Margaria with your delicious, savory dumplings; shop for unique goods and crafts from local vendors; participate in the legendary pierogi toss; and more. This Pierogi Fiesta offers the perfect blend of Eastern European heritage and local Chicago charm for a delicious, good time celebration!
Take an insider’s peek into Chicago’s Gateway to The West Loop Food Tour this Sunday (1 p.m.-4 p.m.) beginning at Formento’s (925 W. Randolph St.). Not only will you taste dishes from James Beard Award-winning chefs and sip the region’s best celebrated craft brews, but you will also hear the stories behind the West Loop’s architecture, history, and official landmarks. It’s your ticket to finding the neighborhood’s best hidden gems so you can impress your family and friends when you bring them along!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
