This Weekend's Festival Round-Up
By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 5, 2008 5:15PM
If you're like us, you've been planning for the weekend since, oh, Monday morning. Now we're knocking on the weekend's door and it's time to decide what to do. Of course, festival season is in full swing and we couldn't be happier, especially since it coincides with our summer warm-up (finally!). This weekend's weather looks hit-or-miss with the rain, but at least it'll be warm, so it's as good a time as ever to get outside and hit one or more of the fests.
One of our favorite early season fests, Northcenter's Rib Fest, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Along with the usual glut of amazing food, this year features some pretty terrific music as well, including Nada Surf, The Silos, and Chicagoist faves Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and Joe Pug.
Lincoln/Irving Park/Damen intersection, June 7 and June 8, 12 p.m. - 10 p.m. both days, $5 donation
This weekend's Jeff Fest, up in Jefferson Park, is the 8th annual fest for the neighborhood and features the one and only Foghat. Price of admission is only $5 and the fest runs Friday through Sunday.
Milwaukee & Higgins Ave, June 6 (5 p.m. - 11 p.m.), June 7 (1 p.m. - 11 p.m.), and June 8 (1 p.m. - 9 p.m.), $5 donation
Looking for a good family-bonding experience? Head to Oz Park in the Lincoln Park neighborhood on Saturday for Chalk Fest 2008. Squares of sidewalk will be cordoned off for decoration by children, adults, and student and professional artists. You can even "sponsor" your own square, available for a range of prices based on what you want. Proceeds benefit Art Therapy Connection.
Oz Park (Webster Ave & Larrabee St.), June 7, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., free admission
June is American Caribbean Heritage Month, so head over to Union Park and celebrate on Saturday with Chicago Caribbean JerkFest, which makes its debut this weekend. Something tells us the food will be outstanding.
Union Park, June 7, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., $15, tickets available via Ticketleap
This weekend marks the 61st annual 57th Street Art Fair, billed as "Chicago’s oldest juried art fair." Located in Hyde Park, the fest features great works of ceramics, sculptures, and paintings, to name a few.
57th Street & Kenwood Ave., June 7 (11 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and June 8 (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.), free admission
If the Back of the Yards is more your speed, the 18th annual Fiesta Back of the Yards happens this weekend, with a wide-range of beer, food, and fun.
47th Street (between Damen & Ashland), June 7 (10 a.m. - 10 p.m.) and June 8 (12 p.m. - 10 p.m.), free admission
And finally, the 25th Annual Chicago Blues Fest kicks off today and goes through Sunday in Grant Park. We gave you a detailed run-down earlier this week, but, really, it's hard to go wrong with any of the bands, especially since it's all free.
Grant Park, June 5 through June 8, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. each day, free admission