Keeping Streeterville Safe - Communities - Pioneer Press

CALENDAr OF EvENTS
Calendar of Events
JANUAry
SNOW DAYS CHICAGO
January 28-30, 2011
Snow Days Chicago is an annual festival that
features a snow-sculpting competition, dog sled
demonstrations, and a “snowboard rail jam.” This
year’s event will be held at Navy Pier.
FEBrUAry
CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE
February 2, 2011
The famous parade down Wentworth Avenue in
Chinatown will celebrate the “Year of the Rabbit”
in 2011. It features marching bands, colorful floats,
dance teams and a 100-foot-long paper dragon.
mArCH
STREETERvILLE ANNuAL MEETING
Date TBA
The Streeterville Chamber of Commerce Annual
Meeting brings together business members and
partners for the installation of the new officers of the
Board of Directors.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY
March 17, 2011
Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is usually
scheduled for the week before the holiday. Visitors
can enjoy the parade and the Chicago River, which
is always dyed bright green, and then head over to
one of Chicago’s many Irish pubs to continue the
celebration.
APriL
ART CHICAGO
April 29-May 2, 2011
Art Chicago is an annual international fair of
contemporary and modern art that brings together
the world’s leading, emerging and established
galleries at the Merchandise Mart.
mAy
CHICAGO FARMERS MARKETS
May-October
Chicago’s Farmers Markets bring more than 70
vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and
flowers to over 20 neighborhoods throughout the City
of Chicago. Markets are held Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Saturday and Sunday around the city.
JUNE
CHICAGO GOSPEL MuSIC FESTIvAL
Early June
The Gospel Music Festival features more than 50
performances on three stages at Millennium Park, in
addition to activities for the whole family.
CHICAGO BLuES FESTIvAL
June 10-12, 2011
The Chicago Blues Festival, the largest free blues
festival in the world, unites more than 500,000 blues
fans proving that Chicago is the “Blues Capital of the
World.” Past performers include Bonnie Raitt, Ray
Charles, B.B. King, the late Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy
and the late Koko Taylor.
18 2010-2011 STREETERVILLE COMMUNITY GUIDE
CHICAGO SuMMER DANCE
Mid-June-August
Presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural
Affairs, this eleven-week festival features all types
of dancing, from swing to waltz to salsa. Each event
offers a one-hour dance lesson taught by professional
instructors, followed by two hours of dancing on the
open-air dance floor in Grant Park.
TASTE OF CHICAGO
June 24, 2011-July 4, 2011
(Dates subject to change)
Taste of Chicago 2011 will be the 32nd anniversary
of the festival in Grant Park. Millions of visitors flock
to the Taste of Chicago each year to try a wide variety
of international cuisine and to listen to free concerts
in the Petrillo Music Shell. The 10-day festival offers
over 300 menu items from about 70 food vendors.
JULy
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
July 4, 2011
Chicago celebrates the Fourth of July with fireworks
at Navy Pier and a multitude of celebrations in
almost every neighborhood.
AUGUST
STREETERvILLE BOAT CRuISE
Date TBA
The Streeterville Chamber of Commerce hosts the
annual boat cruise at Navy Pier, where business
members have the opportunity to mix and mingle
while enjoying beautiful lake views.
LOLLAPALOOZA
August 5-7, 2011
Lollapalooza is a 3-day music extravaganza in Grant
Park. Past performers include The Killers, Lady
Gaga, Kanye West, Kings of Leon, Radiohead, Rage
Against the Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
SEPTEmBEr
CHICAGO JAZZ FESTIvAL
September 2-5, 2011
A Labor Day weekend tradition, the Chicago Jazz
Festival has showcased Chicago’s vast jazz talent
for more than 30 years. This free event, programmed
by the Jazz Institute, features a wide variety of jazz
musicians to encourage, entertain and educate an
audience of all ages.
OCTOBEr
CHICAGO MARATHON
Early October
Each year athletes and everyday runners from all
over the world unite to tackle a 26-mile-run through
Chicago’s neighborhoods while residents and visitors
gather on the sidelines to cheer them on.
CHICAGO COuNTRY
MuSIC FESTIvAL
Early October
Since 1991, the Country Music Festival has garnered
crowds from all over to enjoy a variety of country
singers and performances at this free two-day event.
This popular event has previously been held at Grant
Park, Soldier Field and Millennium Park.
NOvEmBEr
STATE OF THE WARD
Date TBA
State of the Ward, presented by the Streeterville
Chamber of Commerce, the Chicago Loop Alliance,
the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association
and the River North Business Association, is a
special evening with the 42nd Ward Alderman,
Brendan Reilly. This event gives local businesses an
opportunity to talk with Alderman Reilly and enjoy
a lovely reception.
THE MAGNIFICENT MILE
LIGHTS FESTIvAL
Third Saturday in November
For more than 40 years, the trees along North
Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Wacker Drive
have been covered in over a million twinkling lights
to celebrate the start of the holiday season. The
festival includes special musical performances, a
procession down Michigan Avenue led by Mickey
Mouse and fireworks.
CHRISTMAS TREE
LIGHTING CEREMONY
Late November
Since 1913, people of all ages have gathered to
witness the lighting of the municipal Christmas
tree in Chicago. The event, held in Daley Plaza, is
accompanied by special musical performances and
sits adjacent to the Christkindlmarket.
DECEmBEr
STREETERvILLE HOLIDAY SOIREE
Date TBA
The Holiday Soiree, presented by the Streeterville
Chamber of Commerce, is a holiday party for
business members where they can enjoy a festive
evening, network with other business members and
bid on exciting gifts in the silent auction.
CHICAGO SPORTS FEST
Mid-to-late December
Chicago Sports Fest is a free, family-friendly event
designed to promote healthy, active lifestyles.
Adults and children are encouraged to break a sweat
while they play in the interactive zones, such as
the obstacle course, 40-yard dash, baseball or wall
climbing.