Independence Day Recap

As much as I'm opposed to wading through mass amounts of people in 85 degree heat, I made an exception this 3rd of July in hopes that my experience would be better than I remembered from last time. I joined a dozen friends for a Metra ride downtown to watch the Macy's fireworks display. Hungry people heading through The Taste doesn't seem to be such a good idea because as much as we wanted to get to our viewing destination, we weren't able to stick together much less get to where we wanted to go. So, as we situated ourselves on a blanket 50 feet in front of Lake Michigan, I and just one of the dozen friends I'd come with sat down just in time to eat our tiny portions of Lobster and Garlic Potato from the Oak Street Beachstro stand and then watch the fireworks over the Lake. I have to say Macy's stepped it up this year from what I remember. But their display still left me unsatisfied and dissappointed that I'd wasted the time and effort to come down to this madhouse of people during the Taste of Chicago.

Weekend Recap

I realized while driving away from Target, that I'd somehow lost my phone. Luckily when I went back to check, someone had turned it in to customer service who had called the person they thought would be my emergency contact. They didn't realize he lived in another state altogether. Ha! But my phone was safe and sound and that's all I cared about.

Saturday night: Prairie Rock Brewing Company's 10th Annual Brewfest. I had a great time! But the fest itself was pretty crappy. It was super crowded and very poorly organized. I was wading through soggy grass in my flip flops which meant my feet were soaked in beer. You couldn't tell which beers were available until you got up to the very front of the stands, so you had to make a decision on the spot. All of the beers I tried tasted like crap except for the last one I had, the Mai Bock, which tasted kind of like pop. I have no idea who it was made by though. I would've liked to try Prairie Rock's summertime brew, Raspberry wheat...if I could find it in that mess! On the upside, the pulled pork was good and they gave it to us for free because it was the end of the night. So despite my complaints, it was otherwise a good time.

Sunday morning I realized I'd lost my phone again! I'd left it at a friend's house where we'd gone swimming after the fest. I have to say I'm pretty lucky to have lost and found it twice in one day. All in all it was a pretty good weekend.

Summer In The Windy City

Its finally here! The sun is out, the snow has stopped (crossing fingers), and the weather is behaving to some extent. Let the festivals begin! There is so much going on in our beautiful city. Some events I'm looking forward to:

Blues Fest: I haven't been to this in years. I'd love to go again this Summer. There's nothing like Chicago in the Summer, good food, good music and city life.

Chalk Festival 2008 in Oz Park: Looks like a fun activity for kids, but it interests me more because of the art therapy side of the event. I recently started using pastels when practicing my artwork at home so I'm eager to see the work of these artists. I also just learned a little about art therapy, so this is a double interest for me. For a similar festival check out Artists of the Wall in Rogers Park.

SummerDance Festival: 8 Weeks of Dancing! Everything from polka, country, Argentine tango and zydeco, swing, salsa and afrobeat to reggae, funk and klezmer, all on one huge dance floor.

Grant Park Outdoor Film Festival: I've always wanted to do this! Enjoy the night air while taking in a movie under the stars. The opening film is an old black & white: All About Eve, followed by The Odd Couple, and Chicago classic, The Blues Brothers.

Venetian Night: Approximately 35 boats decorated with lights and props sailing along Lake Michigan, between the Shedd Aquarium and the Chicago Yacht Club. I hear its always very crowded (675,000 people) but it must be quite a show. Public transportation, biking, or walking suggested.

Naperville Ribfest: "Voted the Best Festival in the Midwest". I'm looking forward to pigging out (get it? Pig? haha) on riblets from 17 World Class Rib vendors and chilling out to the classic tunes of REO Speedwagon!

Pierogi Fest: As a child, I remember driving through a Polish neighborhood, seeing a specific Pierogi restaurant many times and wanting to go in for a taste. So my first thought was that this fest was in that area. I was wrong; its in Whiting, IN. It may be a little more of a drive but, from one Polak to another, a good Pierogi is well worth it! Especially the plum ones...mmm.

Northalsted Market Days: Famous for its vast array of unique food, arts and crafts vendors, and 3 stages of music, this Boys Town extravaganza is the largest two-day street fair in the Midwest.

There's so much more to do. I wish I could see it all but I'll have a hard enough time getting to all of the ones I listed above! Have fun Chicagoans!