CHICAGO — No matter how many more beach visits and Rainbow Cone trips you cram into the next few weeks, summer is OVER and there's nothing we can do about it.
It may not be sweater weather, but fall is upon us. So bust out the cider, hop on a hay ride and try some of these outdoor events around Chicago this weekend.
Outfit Your Home, Go on a Hay Ride: The new Grand Art & Design Fest, formerly Design Harvest, offers a chance to shop for home and garden goods, as well as peruse booths of handmade items, clothing, jewelry and more. The fest also features hay rides, family activities and live country and Americana music. Food trucks will sell tamales, lobster rolls, cupcakes and more. There's a $5 suggested donation for entry to benefit the West Town Chamber of Commerce. The fest takes place along Grand Avenue between Western and Wood. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Let the Oktoberfest Fun Rage On: If you missed the first weekend of Oktoberfest, you're in luck: one of the country's best will be in Lakeview this weekend. The St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday with the first craft beer night, featuring European and local breweries. The $40 craft beer tickets for Friday or Saturday include a commemorative glass and a pretzel necklace. The fest features some of the North Side's top bands, from Wedding Banned to 16 Candles, plus some German music that's a perfect match for your pints and handmade bratwursts. $5 general admission (craft beer night is separate), free for active military and service members. St. Alphonsus Church at the corner of Lincoln, Wellington and Southport avenues.
Sip Ciders at the Market: The first ever Harvest & Cider Festival is being hold in Logan Square Sunday alongside the weekly Logan Square Farmer's Market. The festival kicks off at 10 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. There will be pumpkin painting, scarecrow stuffing and lots of ciders, both alcoholic and non. The festival will be held at the end of the famer's market at 3107 W. Logan Blvd.
Jam at Hyde Park Jazz Fest: Oh, it's the biggest weekend for jazz in on the south lakefront with the Hyde Park Jazz Festival taking over ten historic buildings in Hyde Park for concerts as well as two stages on the Midway Plaisance. It's hard to believe its all free. 1 p.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday, venues throughout Hyde Park, free. Full schedule is available at hydeparkjazzfestival.org.
Get Your Foreign Film Fix, For Free: "Vaterfreuden" features a character named Felix who loses his fertility following a fatal accident with his brother's ferret. And if that isn't enough to lure you to Friday's German cinema night at DANK Haus, perhaps the free admission will. Bar, snacks and candy available for purchase. Show starts at 7:30 p.m., 4740 N. Western Ave.
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