Can you say street festival? I can.

By Trent Modglin

Just yesterday, I did something wonderful. I replaced all of my sweatshirts with shorts in the top drawer in my closet. It may not sound like much, especially considering my genuine lack of style when it comes to caring about clothing, but it’s worth noting for a lot of reasons, because the best part of living in Chicago is upon us.

The reason we bear those blustery winter winds, the reason we don’t take long vacations in July. Summer is officially here for the taking, and I can almost taste the boneless rib sandwich and buttered ear of corn at the Taste of Lincoln. I can almost taste cold beer in the bleachers while yelling at the opposing left fielder. I can almost smell my skin burning at the volleyball courts at North Avenue Beach and can almost hear Hairbangers Ball belting out “Living on a Prayer” above the din of the train rolling by overhead.

In honor of the season that never lasts, The Real Chicago decided to beat some other folks to the punch and give you an easy-to-read two-page layout of the biggest festivals of the summer. By no means is this the entire list, mind you, as many neighborhoods have their own, less populated versions. If I listed every event that could be labeled a “festival” in this town, I’d use up every page of this publication.

But these are the big boys, the ones you want to base your summer activities around, the ones you should contemplate skipping weddings and graduation parties for.

And just so you know, next month, we’ll be running a comprehensive guide to the best beer gardens in the city. Nothing says Chicago like stopping by an outdoor patio on your way home from work to meet friends while the sun creeps down toward the horizon. So if you have a favorite spot you don’t mind sharing, please let me know.

In the meantime, check out this May issue. It’s got a little bit of everything (from an Andy Warhol exhibit to improv at ComedySportz to a unique record store), which I’m finding is thankfully becoming the norm with this pet project of mine. And if you get a chance, come see 56 Hope Road at the Cubby Bear May 6. You won’t be disappointed.

With your help, we’ll continue to uncover plenty of people, places and things in the city that deserve your attention. But for now, I’m too distracted to continue. I’ve got to find me a rib sandwich.

Trent Modglin
Publisher
The Real Chicago
Trent@TheRealChicago.org

Click here for more Up Front