Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Symphony Orchestra. Shoreline
viewing is fine, but the best way to
take it in is from another boat
nearby, if you can swing it. Con-
sider this a fine time to woo your
sweetie with a dinner cruise. (See
“Sightseeing Tours,” in chapter 8.)
July 30.
Taste of Lincoln Avenue,
Lincoln
Park, between Fullerton Avenue
and Wellington Street (
&
773/
868-3010
). This is one of the
largest and most popular of
Chicago's many neighborhood
street fairs; it features 50 bands per-
forming music on five stages.
Neighborhood restaurants man the
food stands, and there's also a kids'
carnival. Third weekend in July.
Newberry Library Book Fair and
Bughouse Square Debates,
69 W.
Walton St. and Washington Square
Park (
&
312/255-3501
). Over 4
days, the esteemed Newberry
Library invites the masses to rifle
through bins stuffed with tens of
thousands of used books, most of
which go for less than $2 a pop.
Better than the topic fair is what
happens across the street in Wash-
ington Square Park: Soapbox ora-
tors re-create the days when
left-wing agitators came here, with
Pulitzer Prize-winning author
Studs Terkel, oral historian non-
pareil, emceeing the spirited chaos.
Late July.
August
Northalsted Market Days,
on Hal-
sted Street between Belmont Avenue
and Addison Street (
&
773/868-
3010
). The largest of the city's street
festivals, held in the heart of this gay
neighborhood, Northalsted Market
Days offers music on three stages,
lots of food and offbeat merchan-
dise, and the best people-watching
of the summer. Early August.
Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic,
starting at 39th Street and King
Drive and ending at 55th Street and
Washington Park (
&
312/225-
2400
). This annual African-Ameri-
can celebration, which celebrated its
75th anniversary in 2004, is one of
the oldest parades of its kind in the
nation. It's named for the mythical
figure Bud Billiken, reputedly the
patron saint of “the little guy,” and
features the standard floats, bands,
marching and military units, drill
teams, and glad-handing politicians.
Second Saturday in August.
Chicago Air & Water Show,
North Avenue Beach (
&
312/744-
3315
). The U.S. Air Force Thun-
derbirds and Navy Seals usually
make an appearance at this hugely
popular, perennial aquatic and aerial
spectacular. (Even if you don't plan
to watch it, you can't help but expe-
rience it with jets screaming over-
head all weekend.) Free admission.
Expect huge crowds, so arrive early
if you want a spot along the water.
But you'll also get good views (and
some elbow room) on the grass
along the east edge of Lincoln Park
Zoo. Third weekend in August.
Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festi-
val,
Petrillo Music Shell, at Jackson
Drive and Columbus Drive in
Grant Park (
&
312/744-3315
).
This musical celebration runs the
gamut from salsa to mambo to the
hottest Latin rock outfits. Free
admission. Last weekend in August.
September
The art season,
in conjunction
with the annual Absolut Visions
series of art gallery programs for the
general public, begins with galleries
holding their season openers in the
Loop, River North, River West, and
Wicker Park/Bucktown gallery dis-
tricts. Call the River North Gallery
District at
&
312/649-0064
for
details. First Friday after Labor Day.
Chicago Jazz Festival,
Petrillo
Music Shell, Jackson Drive and
