LINCOLN SQUARE — If you see Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes strolling along Lincoln Avenue on Saturday surrounded by a bunch of good-looking women wearing glasses and their hair pulled back into a tight bun, you've likely stumbled onto the Book Cellar's fifth annual Librarian Pub Crawl.
Organizers encourage participants to get into the spirit of things by dressing as either a librarian (see above stereotype) or their favorite fictional character.
The crawl kicks off at 4 p.m. at the Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave. Admission is $5 per person, with proceeds to benefit Open Books.
Patty Wetli chats about the Librarian Pub Crawl and other events in the neighborhood this weekend:
Stops along the route include Hansa Clipper, Ricochet's, Bad Dog, Gannon's and Wild Goose Bar. Unlike previous years in which bus transportation was provided, crawlers will be expected to hoof it from pub to pub. Let's hear it for the Sensible Shoes Librarian.
Also on tap this weekend:
• Lane Tech's two-day Art and Music Fest is like Lollapalooza in a parking lot, with balloon animals; 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, 2501 W. Addison St.
Trust high-schoolers to know how to throw a party: two music stages (one acoustic, one rock), food trucks, arts and crafts, a farmers market, mini-golf and something you won't get at Riot Fest — the chance to cut your own track in the school's recording studio.
• Thrifters rejoice — it's officially garage sale season.
Hunt for deals at Roscoe Village Neighbors' community garage sale, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Saturday. More than 40 homes (click here for map) are taking part.
Then set the alarm for "bright and early" Sunday, because Ravenswood Manor's annual blowout is not to be missed. The communitywide garage sale is a favorite of bargain hunters, with a reputation for being one of the biggest and best in the city.
A hundred houses (click here for map) are participating in this year's event, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, rain or shine.
Support local schools by shopping Hibbard Elementary School's spring flea market — arts, crafts and more for sale, 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, 3244 W. Ainslie St. Proceeds benefit Hibbard's Parent Teacher Organization.
• Gardeners have not one, but two, plant sales to choose from this weekend — or hit up both.
Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse, 3501 N. Kilbourn Ave., will have hundreds of plant varieties for sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tomato seedlings are a perennial favorite; new this year is an emphasis on compact plants for urban gardens and edible flowers.
Manor Garden Club sweetens the incentives to visit its plant sale by tacking on a bake sale to the proceedings. Spring perennials, vegetables, ferns, annuals and hanging baskets can be found next to homemade baked goods at the club's annual fundraiser. Pick up a brownie with your basil, 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, 2500 W. Wilson Ave., Luther Memorial Church.
• Enough with the cellphone selfies. Have your portrait taken with an actual camera 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, at the Lincoln Square Friendship Center, 2733 W. Lawrence Ave. Photographers from MissioDei Lincoln Square and students from Amundsen High School (who know a thing or two about portraits) will be doing the pointing and shooting. Families, individuals and groups are welcome — and the photos are free.
• Have a side of seriousness with your weekend fun and games at The Residents of Irving Park's first positive loitering event of the season, where neighbors gather at trouble spots in the community and throw a party. Meet at 6 p.m., Friday, Troy Street and Cullom Avenue; there will be pizza from Tano's.
