Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade, on
Halsted Street, from Belmont
Avenue to Broadway, south to
Diversey Parkway, and east to Lin-
coln Park ( & 312/744-3315 ). This
parade is flamboyant and colorful,
the culmination of a month of
activities by Chicago's gay and les-
bian community. The floats,
marching units, and colorful char-
acters will keep you entertained, so
pick a spot on Broadway for the
best view. Last Sunday in June.
Farmers markets open at two
dozen sites all over the city at the
end of the month and continue
weekly through October. Down-
town sites are Daley Plaza (every
other Thurs) and Federal Plaza
(every Tues). For other locations
and times, call & 312/744-3315.
July
Independence Day Celebration
( & 312/744-3315 ). Celebrated in
Chicago on July 3, concerts and
fireworks are the highlights of the
festivities in Grant Park. The sight
of fireworks exploding over and
reflecting off of Lake Michigan is
well worth braving the crowd. Take
public transportation, or walk.
Irish-American Heritage Festival,
Irish - American Heritage Center,
4626 N. Knox Ave., at Montrose
Avenue ( & 773/282-7035 ). If
your kids are into Irish dancing,
made famous by Riverdance, make
sure to check out this festival, fea-
turing Irish music, dance, food,
readings, and children's entertain-
ment. Second weekend in July.
Sheffield Garden Walk, starting at
Sheffield and Webster avenues
( & 773/929-WALK ). One of
Chicago's largest street parties, the
Sheffield Garden Walk sounds a bit
more refined than it actually is—
but here's your chance to snoop
into the lush backyards of Lincoln
Park homeowners. There are also
live bands, children's activities, and
food and drink vendors on tap.
Mid-July.
Chicago Yacht Club's Race to
Mackinac Island ( & 312/861-
7777 ). Kids who love boats will get
a kick out of watching the start of
this 3-day competition. At Monroe
Street Harbor, boats set sail on Sat-
urday for the grandest of the inland
water races. Mid-July.
Venetian Night, from Monroe
Harbor to the Adler Planetarium
( & 312/744-3315 ). Whimsical
decorations on a carnival of illumi-
nated boats make this a great kids'
event. Fireworks and synchronized
music by the Grant Park Symphony
Orchestra complete the scene.
Watch from the shoreline, or, if you
can swing it, get onboard a friend's
boat. End of July.
Newberry Library Book Fair and
Bughouse Square Debates, 69 W.
Walton St. and Washington Square
Park ( & 312/255-3501 ). For teens
with an interest in history or a love
of topics, this fair will be a hit. Held
over 4 days, Newberry Library sells
tens of thousands of used topics,
most under $2. The highlight is
soapbox orators re-creating the
Bughouse Square Debates in Wash-
ington Square Park, just across the
street. Pulitzer Prize-winning
author Studs Terkel emcees the spir-
ited chaos among left-wing agita-
tors. Late July.
August
Chicago Air & Water Show,
North Avenue Beach ( & 312/744-
3315 ). Kids love this hugely popular
show, held on the lake at North
Avenue Beach and overhead, where
you'll see Stealth bombers, F-16s,
and special appearances by the U.S.
Air Force Thunderbirds and Navy
Seals. Because the crowds are intense
at North Avenue Beach, try grabbing
a portable radio and hanging at Oak
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