Northalsted Market Days
Go for the people watching, stay for more than 40 acts on three stages, plus food and craft vendors. C’mon folks, it’s only the largest outdoor fest of its kind in the Midwest. 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. $6 suggested donation. Halsted Street between Belmont Avenue and Addison Street, 3500 N. Halsted St. 773-868-3010.
Live music highlights: DJ Lady Miss Kier, Whild Peach and more. See metromix.com for schedule.
48th Annual Gold Coast/River North Art Fair
Who says you have to wait until fall to start your Christmas shopping? Pretend you’re Santa (but skip the hot costume) at the third oldest fair in Chicago. Juried paintings, jewelry, photography and more are on hand, plus live music and food vendors. Noon Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. Free. River North Gallery District, 700 N. LaSalle Drive (bordered by Clark and Wells Streets, Chicago Avenue and Ontario Street). 847-444-9600.
Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival
Browsed out? Get your green on and soak up lake views while you shop for arts and crafts by 125 juried artists in Dawes Park. With daily art auctions, food vendors, craft demos, and live classical and jazz music. 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. Free. 1700 Sheridan Rd., Evanston. 847-448-8058.
Bash on Wabash
This South Loop cultural fest means business, so drink your beer and enjoy it. Live music by Funkadesi, Casolando and Mighty Blue Kings; plus, artwork, local restaurant fare and more. Noon Saturday-Sunday. $5 donation. 1400 S. Wabash at Roosevelt Avenue. 773-665-4682.
Don’t miss: Gospel brunch at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Kankakee County Fair
There’s nothing like the sound of metal on metal and the smell of exhaust to get your summer in gear. We’re talking demolition derbies, dirt bike racing, live music, a beer garden, truck and tractor pulls, and other rowdy happenings. 7 a.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Free-$5; additional fees for grandstand entertainment. Kankakee County Fairgrounds, 4000 S. U.S. Hwy. 45/52, Kankakee. 815-932-6714.
Don’t miss: Stock car racing at
7 p.m. Wednesday. Check metromix.com for schedule.
Belize Day in the Park
Are you and Billy Ocean “sharing the same dream” of a Caribbean vacation? Wake up, smell the spices and hoof it to Washington Park for music and regional dishes like jerk chicken and tamales. 1 p.m. Sunday. Free. Washington Park, 5500 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 773-883-0412.
Don’t miss: Live music by Nelson Gill & the Caribbean Rhythm Band, Ugurau and more.
COMING SOON:
58th Annual Mendota Sweet Corn Festival
Love corn? There’s plenty of it–50 tons, in fact–at this classic summer fest, plus a parade, live music, flea market, beer garden and rides. Free sweet corn samples at 2 p.m. Sunday. 6 p.m. Aug. 11; 11 a.m. Aug. 12; 9 a.m. Aug. 13-14. $3 (beer garden fee only). Downtown Mendota, Main and Washington Streets. 815-539-6507.
Illinois State Fair
Think corndogs, carnival rides, tractor pulls, livestock shows and live music by Rascal Flatts, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Velvet Revolver and others. Aug. 12-21. $3 general admission; additional fees for grandstand and arena events. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., Springfield. 217-782-1979.
47th Annual Chicago Air & Water Show
More than 2 million people swarm the lakefront for the oldest and largest air show of its kind in the country. Get great views and play-by-play coverage from North Avenue Beach, or plant yourself at Oak Street Beach. 9 a.m. Aug. 20-21. Free. Along the lakefront near North Avenue Beach, 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive. 312-744-3370.
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rkpalmore@tribune.com
