SUMMER IS WINDING DOWN BUT NOT CHICAGOANS!
Summer is winding down as well as the outdoor neighborhood festivals – but it ain’t over yet! For some good food, time with friends and good ‘ole fashion fun try out one or all of these weekend festivities – that is if it ever stops raining!!
The Taste of Greece kicks off at Noon on Saturday over on Halsted Street between Monroe and Van Buren. This Greek celebration, of course, will include a variety of food from area restaurants along with belly dancers, games, live music on two stages and much more. If you like Greek food, or feel adventurous for something different, this is where it’s happening.
Moving on to another neighborhood, there’s the Festa di Tutti i Santi (Shrine of Our Lady of Pompei) on Lexington Street between Harrison and Taylor. This one-day Italian-American event will be held on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning with a church service then a procession through Arrigo Park. After that it’s time for some traditional cuisine, bocce games, kids’ activities and even a $5,000 cash raffle but one ticket will cost you $20. I’ll be at the head of this line!
Then there’s the third annual two-day street fair celebrating Whole Foods Market known as FlavorFest. This fest will be held at Jonquil Park (1023 W. Wrightwood Ave.) and features a live music stage as well as a cooking stage with demonstrations by Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill, Steve Chiappetti of Viand, David Burke and Rick Gresh of David Burke’s Primhouse, just to name a few of the chefs who will be there. A $5 donation will benefit the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce.
Last but not least, in Grant Park, is the 19th annual festival of Latin music known as Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival with sounds of salsa, meringue, cumbias and more. And as usual, food vendors and an arts and crafts fair will be featured. This two-day event runs from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
As they say in Chicago, “it ain’t over until the fat lady sings”, and with all these neighborhood festivals serving up such great food, I don’t think she’ll be singing anytime soon!! What do you think?
