As summer winds down, the list of things to do and places to go dwindles along with the temperatures.
As usual, Labor Day weekend signals the final burst of summertime activities. It continues to spawn myriad events to enjoy; it’s a chance to soak in the last balmy breezes and to visit the beaches while they are still populated by volleyball games and while comfortable sandy spots are still coveted by all.
You may recall that, when the summer began, Chicagoans were experiencing some of the hottest temperatures on record. We were sweltering in June while trying really hard to get excited about hosting the World Cup. We were also trying to make some sense of those mammoth chubby statues that someone dropped off in Grant Park.
We anticipated the opening of the Skyline Stage, Chicago’s new entertainment facility on Navy Pier, and saw a spectacular fireworks display on Venetian Night.
And even if you’ve had about all you can take of the Gold Coast Art Fair, the Taste of Chicago (who can ever have enough food?) or that noisy Air & Water Show, you’ve got to admit that there is nothing like summertime in Chicago.
So we’ve compiled a list of some of the best things happening to end your summer and celebrate the Labor Day weekend.
Labor Day picks
North Avenue Beach is where the action is going to be during 4th annual Evian Pro-Am Beach Volleyball Championships, open to amateur and professional players. It’s the last game of the summer and promises to be worth the wait, with 16 divisions competing for $1,000 in cash prizes and merchandise. The tournament is sponsored by the Midwest Volleyball Professionals. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and the tournament kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday. Players can register for Men’s Sand Doubles (Pro), Women’s Sand Doubles (Pro), Men’s Sand Doubles (Open, A/B), Women’s Sand Doubles (Open, A/B), Co-ed 4-person (A/B), Boys Juniors Doubles (18, 16, 14) and Girls Juniors Doubles (18, 16, 14).
Players can party after the competition at the Island Bar, 800 W. North Ave., at 7 p.m.
Entry fees are $30 per amateur team; $40 per pro team. Non-MVP members add $5 more per person. For more information, call 312-266-8580.
Experience Irish music, food and imported goods, genealogy presentations, dancing, a harp concert, children’s activities and more during the third annual IrishFest, which takes place during the Labor Day weekend at St. Xavier University, 3700 W. 103rd St. Festival hours are 3 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Two music stages will include continuous perfomances with headliners such as Liam Clancy & Robbie O’Connell, 4:30 and 9 p.m. Sunday and The Dooley Brothers, 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Last year’s event drew more than 10,000 people.
Admission to IrishFest is $7, $5 seniors, $3 children, free 3 and under. For more information, call 312-298-3888.
The Jesse White Tumblers are sure to create a lot of the excitement during the Howard W. Carroll Foundation 14th annual 50-Fest, featuring food, fireworks and fun from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The festival will be held in Warren Park, 6601 N. Western Ave. It is one of the largest neighborhood festivals in the city with food vendors, two music stages including a rock and ’50s stage, a tribute to Elvis and more. Admission is free. For more information, call 312-743-5015.
Soon the inevitable will happen-back to school. That means new clothes, homework and a clean bill of health. Which is why the Back to School Health Fair, sponsored by Luster Products, will provide free immunizations for children, dental exams and screenings for hypertension and diabetes.
Doesn’t sound like much fun? Well, children will get balloons and prizes while being entertained by clowns from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Osco Drug Store, 87th Street and the Dan Ryan Expressway. There will also be a raffle and free product giveaways.
For more information, call 312-431-1150.
The 15th annual Taste of Polonia festival will feature lots of wonderful food and both a polka music and a variety stage, from noon to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and noon to 10 p.m. Monday at the Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave. A casino night will open on Friday (7 p.m.-midnight), with poker and blackjack through Monday. Saturday is Children’s Day with Garfield Goose, a puppet show, clowns, face painting and more. Children under 6 will be admitted free all day; ages 6 to 12 will be admitted free from noon to 5 p.m.
In addition, Taste of Polonia will include artisans creating wood carvings, jewelry and toys. Admission is $3, $2 children. For more information, call 312-777-8898.
Monumental art is the way to describe the 17 big bronze buoyant sculptures by artist Fernando Botero that are still sitting in Grant Park.
Did someone forget where they dropped them off?
Considering the fact that each Botero sculpture weighs 1,900 to 5,100 pounds, it’s easy to figure out why no one is in a hurry to move them.
The exhibit has been extended through Sept. 30, which means you can bring the whole family down for a Labor Day picnic and view “Little Bird” (1992) or “Man on a Horse” (1992) and the rest of the exhibit.
Oh, and be on the lookout for Botero-nappers-people who take naps while relaxing on the sculptures.
Botero in Chicago can be found on Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe Streets.
Union members will celebrate the Centennial of America’s Labor Day with a worker’s march in the Pullman neighborhood to mark the anniversary of the Pullman Strike of 1894. This year, instead of a parade with floats in the Loop, a march will take place in the Pullman neighborhood with 1890s-style bands, union banners and a picnic. The march begins at 11 a.m. Monday at 111th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. After the parade there will be a picnic at Arcade Park along with a concert featuring a 30-piece brass ensemble at 1 p.m. Other events will include a bike-decorating contest for children, clowns and a historic re-enactment of the strike. For more information, call 312-785-8181 or 312-663-4107.
Labor Day options
The Naperville Jaycee’s Last Fling festival, which runs throught the Labor Day weekend, will include its first-ever Spaghetti Eating Contest. Registration begins at noon. The contest begins at 1 p.m. Sunday in the Jackson Street food tent and is sponsored by Traverso’s Restaurant and Lounge, 2523 Plainfield-Naperville Rd., Naperville. The contests benefits local charities.
The 16th annual Valparaiso Popcorn Festival, honoring none other than Orville Redenbacher, will kick off Friday and run through Sept. 11. How much popcorn can one take? Answer: A lot. There are popcorn floats, a popcorn panic 5-mile run, a popcorn talent show, a popcorn balloonfest and even a popcorn queen. The festival will take place in downtown Valparaiso, from Jefferson to Monroe Streets, Morgan to Napolean Streets. For more information, call 219-464-8332.
