From the Saturday, June 13, editions of The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …
By Dave Wischnowsky
The WISCH LIST
In Illinois, people train for months – or, at least, weeks – to get their “beach body” ready for summer (even if they’re nowhere near a beach). But then, Chicago’s summer arrives and threatens to ruin all that hard work in a single weekend.
Delicious food festivals can do that.
And if you’re looking to partake in some such events this month, here are my suggested selections. Just try to not cheat on your diet too much – or go ahead and do, if you’re in the mood.
June 13-14: Ribfest Chicago
Taking place this weekend from noon to 10 p.m. both today and on Sunday, the city’s longest-running rib fest is also widely considered its best. There’s good reason, considering how the 27th Annual Ribfest Chicago features up to 50,000 pounds of ribs and BBQ dished out by more than 30 restaurants.
Located at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Irving Park Road in North Center, Ribfest also offers a family area (open noon-7 p.m.) featuring live entertainment for kids, including inflatables and games.
For more information, visit ribfest-chicago.com.
June 13-14: Andersonville Midsommarfest
Also taking place today and on Sunday, Midsommarfest is a misnomer since summer technically hasn’t even begun. Nevertheless, the 50th anniversary of this bash created to celebrate Andersonville’s Swedish heritage, Midsommarfest will have summer in full swing as it celebrates old Sweden’s world traditions – including a dance around the Maypole.
The festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., annually attracts as many as 50,000 people to Clark Street between Foster and Catalpa. Attractions include live music stages and a family area with face painting, but the stars are the traditional Swedish cuisine such as cevapi, as well as the Christmastime drink glögg, which neighborhood institution Simon’s Tavern transforms into slushie form for the festival.
For more information, visit andersonville.org/midsommarfest.
June 19-21: Taste of Randolph
Lined with many of the city’s most celebrated restaurants, Randolph Street in the West Loop is the dining Mecca of Chicago. And for the 19th consecutive summer, it’s also home to the Taste of Randolph.
Stretching six blocks from Peoria to Racine, the three-day event features vendors from hot spots such as Graham Elliot Bistro, bellyQ, Publican Quality Meats and Grange Hall Burger Bar along with many more. Other attractions include various merchants, live cooking demos and an extensive lineup of live musical acts, including headliners Dinosaur Jr. and The Dandy Warhols.
For more information, visit tasterandolph.com.
June 20: Whiskey, Wine and Swine Pig Roast & Tasting
The Dock at Montrose Beach (200 W. Montrose Harbor Dr.) is one of Chicago’s most underrated lakefront spots, tucked along the sandswept edges of the city’s largest beach and featuring an intimate deck with live music, food, drinks and plentiful sunshine.
On June 20, The Dock is also home to the Whiskey, Wine and Swine Pig Roast and Tasting featuring a full-blown pig roast and a chance to sample 60+ wines and whiskeys from noon to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit eventbrite.com.
June 27-28: Dog Dayz of Summer
Last fall, Chicagoans lined up by the hundreds – and for hours on end – to pay homage to the iconic hot dog shop Hot Doug’s before it closed in October. The city’s meat lovers have been in mourning since.
But on June 27-28, they’ll be joyous as Hot Doug’s returns in all its encased meat glory for one weekend only when it stages a new hot dog festival at Goose Island Barrel Warehouse (605 N. Sacramento) paired with beer and live music.
For more information, visit dogdayzofsummer.com.