BUCKTOWN — The Bucktown Arts Fest, a historic walking tour, golf, puppet shows, block parties and even an oyster-shucking contest — there's no reason to leave Bucktown and Wicker Park this weekend.
Here's the highlights.
Friday
5:45-8:45 p.m.: Wicker Mic Open Mic. Entertain the crowd with your best song or funniest joke at a monthly all-ages talent show in the park near the softball field. Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen Ave.
7-10 p.m.: Opening Reception: "New Orleans: Contemporary Art from the Big Easy." Four "Emerald City"-based artists (Michael Pajon, Dan Rule, Dan Tague and Monica Zeringue) are coming to Tony Fitzpatrick's Bucktown gallery. For information on the artists, click here. The show runs through Sept. 23. Firecat Projects, 2124 N. Damen Ave. in Bucktown.
Saturday
10 a.m.: Meet Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President. Ald. Joe Moreno (1st) and 1st Ward First are hosting a question-and-answer session with Preckwinkle in Moreno's ward service office adjacent to his ward office, at 2058 N. Western Ave., Suite B in Bucktown.
9 a.m., 11 a.m.: Magic Boat Puppet Show. The puppet show featuring "Brother Bear" and "Brother Rabbit" returns to Wicker Park for two free performances at 9 and 11 a.m. Find the action near the park playground at 1425 N. Damen Ave. in Wicker Park.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Dr. Erin Malone Open House. Check out a new pediatrician's office just north of the Milwaukee, Damen and North avenues intersection. Malone will offer tours of her practice as well as provide healthy snacks and a teddy bear and interactive glow-germ station. Presence Medical Group, 1658 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Bucktown/Wicker Park.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Dusty Groove Garage Sale. A vinyl record shop just south of Division Street and Ashland Avenue that specializes in funk, soul, jazz and blues has more inventory than it needs. Thousands of LPs and CDs will be priced at 50 cents, while 45s will be just 25 cents. The day-long sale will culminate with an auction of whatever's left over at 5 p.m. Dusty Groove, 1120 N. Ashland Ave. in East Village.
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: City Mini Golf at Pulaski School. Enjoy a "mini golf green in the middle of Bucktown" which boasts an 18-hole course filled with loops, ramps, spirals and "surprising obstacles," according to organizers. Cost is $8 per adult and $6 per child. Pulaski School, 2230 W. McClean Ave. in Bucktown.
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Bucktown Arts Fest. Now in its 28th year, the volunteer-run arts fest features 200 participating artists selected by a jury panel as well as food, music, beer and spoken word performances. Admission is free. Senior Citizens Memorial Park, 2300 N. Oakley Ave. in Bucktown.
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: The Nosh. The weekly artisan food festival, lands in the parking lot of Pritzker School in Wicker Park and offers sandwiches, lobster rolls, tamales, sweets, cold soups and more. Pritzker School, 2009 W. Schiller St. Free.
Sunday
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Wicker Park Farmers Market. Go early for the best picks [like Chef Rick Bayless did on a recent Sunday when he tweeted a video of his "phenomenal haul" from the market], which features several vendors offering fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, flowers and crepes. The market is located at 1501 N. Damen Ave. in Wicker Park.
9:30 a.m.: Lottie's Pub 9th Annual Golf Outing. Meet at the pub for Bloody Mary cocktails before heading off to a suburban green. The $120 ticket includes transportation to and from a day of golfing, lunch, three beverages per person and an appetizer buffet upon return to the 'hood in the early evening. Lottie's, 1925 W. Cortland Ave. in Bucktown.
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: City Mini Golf at Pulaski School, 2230 W. McClean Ave. in Bucktown.
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Bucktown Arts Fest, Senior Citizens Memorial Park, 2300 N. Oakley Ave. in Bucktown. Free.
1 p.m.: Chicago Architecture Foundation's Walking Tour of Wicker Park. Meet at the Charles Wicker statue and come prepared to walk and learn the history of the neighborhood. Admission is $15 for adults, or free to members of the foundation. Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen Ave.
Noon to 10 p.m.: Bangers & Lace/Carriage House Block Party. Revelers will get a chance to eat, drink and dunk their favorite waiter or bartender at this party. Tickets are $35 per person, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Un86'D, an organization that aids restaurant professionals in need of assistance with health care costs. Bangers & Lace, 1670 W. Division St. in Wicker Park.
1-7 p.m.: Seven Seas Feast and Oyster Shucking Contest. Frontier Restaurant is putting out all the stops for National Oyster Day Sunday, with a feast benefiting Meals on Wheels Chicago from 1-4 p.m. The $55-per-person cost includes samples from nine chefs, a raw bar, craft beer and cocktails. The 3rd Annual Oyster Shucking Contest takes place from 4-7 p.m. Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Noble Square.
