Despite the rain, the temps are warming up and I know Summer is right around the corner. Can we say YESSSS!! So Chicago is the summer is like no other city. No other city squeezes 12 months of fun into 3 months. There's rooftop bars, patio dining, not to mention the farmers market! Life is about to get really interesting. So here's our top ten picks for the summer festival. Some oldies but goodies and some are new to us as well!
1. Taste of Chicago-Grant Park
June 24-July 3
Should we really explain what this is? :-) Taste of Chicago is the nation's premier outdoor food festival showcasing the diversity of Chicago's dining community. The delicious array of food served at Taste of Chicago is complemented by music and exciting activities for the entire family. Every summer since 1980, Chicago's beautiful Grant Park on the city's magnificent lakefront has been home to the world's largest food festival.
2. Ribfest-Lincoln Ave/Irving Park Rd
June 10-12
What ignited in the summer of 1999 as a community block party has exploded into Chicago’s most anticipated street festival—averaging 50,000 pounds of pork and 50,000+ attendees who love to kickoff summer at this three-day event.
As featured in local and national media, Ribfest Chicago invites all Chicagoland restaurant BBQ masters to compete for the title of “Best Ribs.” RibMania, a sanctioned rib-eating contest, returns for a second round in 2011. Ribfest has become a nationally recognized Indie music festival hosting two stages that feature top local and national acts. And the now-famous “Kids Square” provides hours of entertainment allowing children to slide, climb, jump, ride, dance and enjoy live entertainment all weekend long. Ribfest provides a memorable weekend of lively music, family fun and satisfied appetites as we celebrate 13 years of unforgettable barbecue.
Proceeds of the festival are utilized to fund community activities, area greening efforts and local outreach programs such as the innovative School Grant Program and the Northcenter Chamber’s Philanthropy Committee. The following organizations benefited from the festival in 2010: Friends of Bell School, Concordia Place, Coonley Elementary School, Lane Tech Lacrosse Boosters, Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club, St. Andrew’s 8th Grade Class, St. Benedict High School, The Ravenswood ArtWalk, and Neumann Family Services.
3. Wells St Art Festival- Old Town
June 11-12
The Wells Street Art Festival is recognized as one of Chicago's most prestigious art fairs, attracting exhibitors and prospective buyers from all over the nation. The show features a wide variety of fine art - everything from glass and ceramics, to pencil drawings and oil paintings - plus a silent auction and children's area. Musicians performing along Wells Street will make you forget you're at an outdoor festival!
4. Chicago Air & Water Show- North Avenue Beach
Aug 20-21
It's not a festival but part of my summer plans. Billed the oldest and largest free show of its kind in the country, the annual event, now in its 53rd year, typically draws two million spectators to the lakefront, from Fullerton Parkway to Oak Street. Herb Hunter announces. Note: The air and water portions are now combined into one continuous show.
5. North Coast Music Festival- West Loop
Sept 2-4
Presented by North Coast Music Group. North Coast Music Group is a collaboration of independent promoters in Chicago. We are React Presents, Silver Wrapper, Cold Grums Productions, Kingtello and Metronome Chicago. With a collective 50 years producing events, we’ve presented everything from small shows to selling out large scale concerts. Some of us specialize in electronic, hip hop, jam band, indie rock and all kinds of genres. With this festival we’ve come together to celebrate the merging of all music and walks of life that enjoy it as much as we do. The line up is amazing! Common, Wiz Kalifa, David Guetta, Fat Boy Slim, Lotus and so many more!!
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