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5 Things To Do Outside This Weekend: A House Picnic and A Hotdog Burger

  Brandy punch at Division Ale House.
Brandy punch at Division Ale House.
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Tamara Bell/Division Ale House

CHICAGO — Off work today? Lucky you! If you find yourself with time on your hands and no plans, we're here to help. 

Here are five things to do this weekend. Outside because DUH. 

1. Watch Fireworks … On a Boat: Navy Pier fills up early for its annual July 4th fireworks show, so why not check it out on a boat? At least five different local boat companies are running cruises, some of them with cocktails, during the Downtown fireworks show celebrating American independence. The fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. Check the pier's fireworks page for all boat companies, cruise schedules and prices. (Oh, and if you want to avoid Downtown this weekend, our full list of fireworks options is here.) 

2. Eat A Hotdog Burger Outside: The diet can start again Monday. Division Ale House’s 4th of July celebration will include the All-American Burger (a burger with a hotdog on it, obviously) ($10.99), plus a Chicago-style beer brats ($6) and a fruity Ale House Punch made with rum and Cointreau shaken with pineapple, cranberry and lime juice, then topped with ginger ale ($8).  Located at 1924 W. Division St, hours on July 4th are 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.  

3.  Chow Down On Ribs at Windy City Ribfest: Friday marks the first day of the seventh annual Windy City Ribfest, an Uptown street festival where you can eat a variety of slabs while you listen to live music. The jams start at 5 p.m., with Black Ensemble Theatre performers playing R&B classics. At 8 p.m., eclectic pop-rock band Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press will take the stage. The fest at Lawrence Avenue and Broadway starts at noon and goes until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. On Sunday it ends at 9 p.m. $5 suggested donation.

4. Visit the Beverly Farmers Market: Strawberries were some of the first fresh produce to show up at the Beverly Farmers Market. And as the summer winds on, more fruits and vegetables will arrive at the weekly vendor fair. The Beverly Farmers Market also offers organically-raised meat, fresh bakery, homemade soap and other speciality products. The market is open from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. every Sunday through the end of October at 9501 S. Longwood Dr. 

5. Have A House Party: The Chosen Few Picnic returns to Jackson Park this weekend for a July 4 celebration of house music. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the picnic and will include performances by Stephanie Mills, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Cory Daye and more. General admission tickets are $25 in advance. From 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Jackson Park, 63rd Street and Hayes Drive. 

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