SUE'S "WHAT'S HAPPENING!" IN CHICAGO BLOG – IS SUMMER OVER?
WHERE'S SUMMER?
Where has this summer gone?
I can’t believe it’s Labor Day weekend already, which usually signals the end of summer. But I’m not ready to throw in the towel just yet and hope you’re not either! There’s a long weekend ahead of us so let’s make the most of it. Are you ready to get started? I hope you can keep up with me.
This weekend actually kicked-off with the longest-running music festival on Thursday, August 30th, with the 29th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival in Grant Park. Not only does it feature, on several stages, international and national performers, but local performers as well. Not to mention an art fair with an outdoor wine garden. What a great way to get outside to enjoy this perfect weather and get some relaxation as well. Jazz Fest runs through Sunday, and, of course, it’s “free”.
One of the City’s largest neighborhood festivals is the African Festival of the Arts held in Washington Park. It’s a celebration of the African influence in America, which kicks-off on Friday the 31st and wraps up on Monday the 3rd. The cost is merely $5 to $12 per day, or you can obtain a four-day pass for just $30. Well worth it considering there is a wide-variety of things to do as well as three stages of live-music all weekend long – the Main stage, the Hip-Hop stage and the World Music stage. Check it out!
Moving on to the Taste of Polonia over at the Copernicus Cultural Center (5216 W. Lawrence) is most likely where you’ll find me. After all, I’m half Polish on my father’s side. You should see me polka dancing! Again, this festival kicks-off on Friday the 31st wrapping up on Monday the 3rd. Cost is $3 to $7, free for kids under 12. Hope to see you all there! If I’m not stuffing my face with pierogi’s, you’ll find me polka dancing.
Finally, there’s The Last Fling over at the Naperville Riverwalk running from August 31st to September 3rd. There will be lots to eat and drink; plenty of activities for both young and old, with the BoDeans appearing at 8 p.m. on Saturday and Cheap Trick at 8 p.m. on Sunday. And you don’t want to miss the Labor Day parade on Monday at 10 a.m. Main stage events will cost $7-$12; free on Monday for all, as well as for kids 2 and under for the entire weekend.
Go out and enjoy this holiday weekend especially since the weather will be cooperating, which is very rare in Chicago. As everyone knows, it always seems to be cold and raining on a holiday but not this time around. Remember, the cold season will be here before you know it.
WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO HAVE SOME GREAT SUMMER MEMORIES TO GET YOU THROUGH THE LONG, COLD CHICAGO WINTER? I’d be interested in hearing from you on what your best memory of this summer is.
DEAN'S TEAM "WHAT'S HAPPENING!" REPORTER, SUE MOSS
