Chicago, with a population of 3 million, is the third largest city in the U.S. With its beginnings as a trading post by the Chicago River, Illinois’ Windy City developed as a respected centre of international trade and commerce. At the shoreline and even above Lake Michigan, Chicago hosts cultural and sports events that are among the largest on the planet.
57th Street Art Fair
The 57th Street Art Fair takes place the first weekend in June in the historic Hyde Park neighbourhood. Founded by silversmith artist Mary Louise Womer, this art fair started in 1948 as a showcase for local Chicago artists. Over the 60-year history, this event grew to be the Midwest’s oldest non-profit juried art fair. Approximately 250 artists from every state and Canada have shown their jewelry, photography, ceramics, paintings, sculpture wood objects, mixed media and furniture. Over 100,000 attendees each year view hundreds of booths on 57th Street between Kenwood and Kimbark Avenue. For children, the Hyde Park neighbourhood offers playgrounds.
Taste of Chicago
For 10 days in late June the City of Chicago and Mayor’s Office of Special Events hosts Taste of Chicago, a culinary festival located in Grant Park. In 1980, a group of restaurateurs approached the Mayor for a one-day food festival to coincide with the Fourth of July. An event for 75,000 attracted 250,000 food enthusiasts. This overwhelming success became "America's City Picnic" and the Illinois' second largest tourist attraction. Approximately 6 million people annually partake of 200 items from 70 local restaurateurs. Local favourites include Chicago pizza and Chicago Italian beef sandwiches. Food devotees can listen to the concerts at the Petrillo Music Shell.
Chicago Air and Water Show
Top military and civilian pilots showcase their skills above Lake Michigan for the annual Chicago Air and Water Show. In a mid-August weekend, the shores of the Lakefront neighbourhood are teeming with viewers who stake out their place on North Avenue Beach. In 1959 a Family Day Celebration with a Coast Guard air and sea rescue demonstration, a water ballet and other events soon developed into the annual free event that draws 2.2 million annually.
Chicago Jazz Festival
During the Labor Day weekend, music fans can indulge in the Annual Chicago Jazz Festival produced by the Mayor's Office of Special Events. National and international jazz artists perform all jazz forms at three venues in 2010: Grant Park, Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center. Grant Park offers four stages including the Petrillo Bandshell and the Young Jazz Lions Stage. Millennium Park offers 24 acres crafted by architects, designers and planners in the Loop neighbourhood of the central business district. The Chicago Cultural Center is America’s comprehensive arts showcase. The Jazz Institute of Chicago programs this longest running of Lakefront music festivals.
County Fair at Garfield Park Conservatory
Traditional and contemporary agricultural practices come together at the Garfield Park Conservatory on Chicago’s west side for a one-day annual fair in mid-September. This family fun event includes a farmers market, petting zoo and beekeeping demonstrations. Gardeners can bring their tools for sharpening. All ages can pre-register to showcase an item they are especially proud of, such as one vegetable or flower arrangement or photo.
Christmas in Illinois
Daley Plaza is home for the four-week Christkindlmarket Chicago, a German winter holiday market November 24th through December 24th. Hand-crafted ornaments, cuckoo clocks and Hummel figurines for sale under the tents make a unique holiday shopping event. Activities at Daley Plaza include singing German holiday songs and conversing with German-speaking merchants.
For Christmas festivities outside Chicago, the Brookfield Zoo offers its Annual Holiday Magic. The extensive walkways sparkle with almost a million lights. Families can watch ice-carving, visit with Santa and view the animals in the wintry setting. Visitors can ride Metra’s Burlington Northern line with a Zoo Stop at Hollywood Station.
Kathryn Hatashita-Lee - City life inspires stories and images for Kathryn Hatashita-Lee. Her first children's story was published in an anthology of Canadian ...
