ROSCOE VILLAGE — It wouldn't be summer in Chicago if people weren't trying to cram a month's worth of fun into every weekend.
Here's a pair of neighborhood festivals to fill out your calendar.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest: Belmont and Damen avenues, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, $10 suggested donation.
Rockit Burger Bar will pit its double cheeseburger against a dozen contenders in defense of its 2014 "Critics Choice" title. Last year's "People's Choice" winner, Cortland Garage, is staking its reputation on its shiitake mushroom burger. A wild card: D.S. Tequila, debuting this year with a huevos rancheros burger.
See our complete 2015 Guide to Chicago's Summer Festivals.
Doug Sohn, better known for his expertise with that other summertime grilled meat, will be one of the Critics Choice judges.
Though burgers get top billing at this fest, the weekend's entertainment plays a strong supporting role.
The Smithereens and Fabulous Thunderbirds headline Saturday's slate of acts. Bruce in the USA and Catfight will close out the show Sunday. The complete music lineup is available online.
Square Roots Festival: Lincoln Avenue between Montrose and Wilson; 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Suggested donation of $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children, and $20 for families.
Square Roots is co-produced by the Old Town School of Folk Music, so yeah, this is one fest where entertainment is not an afterthought. More than 50 acts will perform over the course of the three-day event, spread out on four stages.
Headliners the Mekons, Urge Overkill and Robbie Fulks all boast strong ties to Chicago, Old Town School or both. The complete schedule is posted online.
The fest also showcases local restaurants, businesses and craft brewers — lots of craft brewers. Roughly 40 beers will be on tap over the course of the weekend, including pours from breweries within walking-ish distance of the Square: Empirical, Begyle, Half Acre and Metropolitan.
There's plenty of fun for youngsters, too. Kids activities include a swing set drum kit and instrument petting zoo. The whole family is invited to join in on barn dancing and yoga. The complete list of kid-friendly programming is online.
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