THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Could This Be Summer’s Last Stand?
Most of us will have an extended weekend as we celebrate Labor Day this coming Monday. Could this be summer’s last stand? Let’s find out!
A favorite Labor Day weekend tradition, the Chicago Jazz Festival, returns to Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) in the Loop this Saturday and Sunday. Once again, this festival will showcase Chicago’s vast jazz talent alongside national and international jazz legends. Artists promote awareness and appreciation for all forms of jazz, as well as encourage and educate an audience of all ages! Check out their website for this weekend’s lineup, headliners, and all that jazz!!
Returning to Chicago’s legendary Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood this Saturday (11:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m.) and Sunday (11:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m.) is The Great American Lobster Fest. The largest lobster and seafood festival in the Midwest, this event offers live lobster flown in fresh from the East Coast, live music, family-friendly games & activities, unique craft shopping, and plenty of libations! No worries if you’re not a seafood person, as an awesome variety of non-seafood entrees will be available as well. So, how will you Lobster Fest? Seafood or a Chicago-Style Hot Dog!!
Celebrate the merging of music genres from indie rock to funk to jam bands to hip-hop and everything in between at the 8th annual North Coast Music Festival this Saturday and Sunday (1:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.). This all-ages music fest returns to Union Park (1501 W. Randolph St.) in the West Town neighborhood. There’s a wide variety of food options from over 20 local vendors that includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free fare and drinks too! Keep your party going after the festival ends at several official after parties. Headliners are playing small venues, as well as artists that aren’t even playing at the festival!! Check out the website link for a full list.
The African Festival of the Arts returns for its annual Labor Day Weekend celebration to Washington Park (5100 S. Cottage Grove Ave.) in the Hyde Park neighborhood this Saturday, Sunday and Monday (10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.). Once again, the park comes alive as a simulated African village, which includes other program and interactive spaces such as a Drum & Afro-folk Village, Children and Family, African Heritage, African Spirituality, Books and Authors, an African Marketplace and much more! There’s even the Bank of the Nile Food Court rich in delectable and authentic African cuisine!!
Another annual Labor Day Weekend festival, the Taste of Polonia, sets up at the Copernicus Center (5216 W. Lawrence Ave.) in the Jefferson Park neighborhood this Saturday & Sunday (12:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m.) and Monday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.). This festival features four stages of non-stop live music with 30+ bands playing rock, pop, jazz, polka, reggae and more; an abundance of Polish food and Polish beer; a kids’ stage and fun zone with inflatables & a climbing wall; a casino and bingo games; 60+ vendors and much more!
Finally, this Monday (September 4th), Chicago’s Movies in the Park is “Top Gun” at Kathy Osterman Beach (5800 N. Lake Shore Dr.) in the Edgewater neighborhood.
Is This Summer’s Last Stand?
