From the Saturday, Aug. 29, editions of The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …
By Dave Wischnowsky
The WISCH LIST
In case you missed the photos on Facebook, everyone’s kids are back in school. But, you know, that hardly means that the summer is over. Up in Chicago, for example, it’s still going strong all September long.
And if you’re able to sneak away to the city during Labor Day weekend or any other weekend after that, here are some entertainment options that you and the family could enjoy.
Sept. 3-6: Chicago Jazz Festival
Since 1979, the Chicago Jazz Festival has declared as its mission on Labor Day weekends “to showcase Chicago’s vast jazz talent alongside national and international artists to encourage and educate a jazz audience of all ages.”
This year’s incarnation – and education – kicks off from noon to 4:30 on Thursday, Sept. 3., with performances at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.) before moving to Millennium Park that evening and for the remainder of the weekend.
For a full schedule and lineup of artists, visit cityofchicago.org.
Sept. 4-7: Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival
If jazz isn’t really your style, but shopping is, then the Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival may be right up your alley. Billed as Chicago’s official kick-off to the fall shopping season, the event fuses fashion, food and fitness with an array of events spread along the stretch of North Michigan Avenue that comprises city’s most famous retail district.
Among the weekend’s features are an array of sales, pop-up markets, fashion shows, discounted hotel packages and even the Magnificent Mile Chicago Women’s Half Marathon & 5K on Sept. 6.
For more information, visit themagnificentmile.com.
Sept. 11-12: Oyster Fests & Block Parties
If you’re a fan of shellfish – specifically oysters – then Sept. 11-12 is like Christmas. In Chicago that weekend is host to not one, but two, separate oyster festivals.
On Sept. 11, Shaw’s Crab House will host its 27th annual Oyster Fest Block Party in River North at Hubbard and Rush streets. For the first time will open the event to restaurants and oyster growers from around the nation, including charbroiled oysters from Drago’s Seafood, a longtime New Orleans institution. For more information, visit oysterfestchicago.com.
Up north in Roscoe Village, the Shock Top Oyster Fest will also be held Sept. 11-12 at Damen and Roscoe streets featuring an array of hard shell culinary delights, beer and live music acts. For more information, visit chicagoevents.com.
Sept. 11-13: Mexican Independence Festival
Many people think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day. It isn’t. Rather, Sept. 16 – officially known as Grito de Dolores – is the day that officially marks the beginning of the successful Mexican War of Independence against Spain. To honor the holiday, Chicago will be host a trio of free parades featuring floats, mariachi bands, street dancing and plenty of food.
On Sept. 12, the Pilsen Mexican Independence Day Parade will be held at noon on 18th Street and Newberry. On the following day, Sept. 13, the 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade will take place at noon at 26th St. and Albany, while at 2 p.m. the South Chicago Mexican Independence Day Parade will kick off at Commercial Avenue and 87th.
Sept. 16-18 & 25-27: Oktoberfests
From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 16-18, you can grab a stein at Adams and Dearborn streets to toast the free 30th annual Berghoff Oktoberfest (theberghoff.com) while feasting on bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels and strudel along with German music.
Or, if you choose, you can wait until Sept. 26-28 to embrace the lively street Oktoberfest at St. Alphonsus Church (oktoberfestchicago.org) held at 1429 W. Wellington Ave. with Craft Beer Nights on both Friday and Saturday evenings.