Taste of Chicago

Main entrance - 100 E. Congress Pkwy. - Chicago

July 3 - festivities start at 7:30pm, fireworks start at 9:30pm.

 

4th of July Fireworks at Navy Pier

Navy Pier - 600 E. Grand Ave. - Streeterville

July 4 : 9 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.

Patriotic music accompanies the annual 15-minute display over Lake Michigan.

Independence Eve Fireworks

Grant Park - 300 S. Columbus Drive - Grant Park Museums

July 3

More than a million spectators flood the lakefront to see one of the country’s most spectacular displays set to music from 101.9 WTMX-FM (9 p.m.). The 85th Army Band kicks off festivities with a patriotic concert at Petrillo Music Shell (7:30 p.m.).

 

 

4th of July Fireworks Cruise

Shoreline Sightseeing Cruises - Illinois Street and Streeter Drive (adjacent to Navy Pier) - Chicago

July 4 : 8:30 p.m.

Watch the Navy Pier fireworks during an hourlong lake cruise. Cash bar.

 

 

Architecture-Fireworks Cruise

Shoreline Sightseeing Cruises - Illinois Street and Streeter Drive (adjacent to Navy Pier) - Chicago

July 3 : 7:45 p.m.

A 75-minute narrated river tour features views of the night skyline and fireworks displays on July 3 and 4.

 

 

Sunset Fireworks Cruise

Shoreline Sightseeing Cruises - Illinois Street and Streeter Drive (adjacent to Navy Pier) - Chicago

July 3 : 8 p.m.

Take in views of the Chicago skyline and Independence Day fireworks during a two-hour cruise. Includes appetizers and a cash bar.

 

 

Mercury July 3 Fireworks Cruise

Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline - 112 E. Wacker Drive - Loop

July 3 : 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.

BYO food and drink (no glass, please) to toast the nation’s birthday a day early while watching Chicago’s mega-fireworks display.

 

 

Independence Eve Fireworks Cruise

Shoreline Sightseeing Cruises - Illinois Street and Streeter Drive (adjacent to Navy Pier) - Chicago

July 3 : 8:30 p.m.

View the Independence Eve fireworks display during an outing on Lake Michigan.

 

 

Oakbrook Terrace Fireworks

Terrace View Park - 1 Parkview Plaza - Oakbrook Terrace

July 4 : 12 p.m.

A noon parade kicks off this community celebration, which also features carnival rides and food from Uncle Bub’s BBQ (1-4 p.m.; buy food tickets for $5 at City Hall prior to the event). Live music by The Moods (8 p.m.) precedes the fireworks display (9:30 p.m.).

 

 

Naperville Fireworks

Knoch Park - 700 S. West St. - Naperville

July 4 : 9:30 p.m.

Annual display presented as part of the Naperville Ribfest.

 

 

Independence Spectacular

Centennial Park - 15400 West Ave. - Orland Park

July 3 : 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

A two-day celebration features a 4th of July fireworks display (9:15 p.m. Saturday), plus film screenings, swimming, a bike parade (6:30 p.m. Friday), games, live music and kids’ activities.

 

 

Forest Park Fireworks

Park District of Forest Park Administrative Offices - 7501 Harrison St. - Forest Park

July 4

Before the fireworks display (9:15 p.m.), take a dip in the pool (open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) and play games, watch performances by the dancers of Panda Studios and Green 13 and buy food from vendors.

 

 

Aurora Fireworks

Aurora Central Catholic High School - 1255 N. Edgelawn Drive - Aurora

July 3

Festivities on the school grounds begin at 6 p.m. with food vendors, kids’ activities and live music. The fireworks display (9:30 p.m.) precedes a screening of “Looney Tunes” cartoons.

 

Arlington Heights Fireworks

Arlington Park Racecourse - 2200 W. Euclid Ave. - Arlington Heights

July 3 : 9 p.m.

A fireworks display starts at dusk. Admission includes thoroughbred racing (4 p.m.) and live music from Four Man Band and B.O.T.T.

African/Caribbean International Festival of Life (IFOL) Over 100 international acts and local acts will perform on two stages and over 200 exhibitors will be on display at this Independence Day weekend celebration of culture and music!

Dates: Jul 3, 2009 - Jul 5, 2009

Hours: 10 am - 10 pm

Location: Washington Park 55th St. & S. Cottage Grove Chicago, IL 60637

Admission: Adults $10; Seniors/Children $5

Website: For additional information please visit, http://www.festivaloflife.biz

Public Transportation: #55 Garfield Bus, #4 Cottage Grove BusVisit www.transitchicago.com Maxwell Street Market The Maxwell Street Market is a Chicago tradition of bargains and bargaining with an international flavor. Dates: Weekly: Every Sunday From: Jan 3, 2009 to Dec 27, 2009 Upcoming Dates: Jun 28, 2009 Jul 5, 2009 Jul 12, 2009 Hours: 7 am - 3 pm Location: South Loop Desplaines St. & Roosevelt Rd. Chicago, IL 60607 Admission: FREE

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Mother of All Block Parties This festival will feature multicultural music and Polish, Italian, American and Hispanic food.

Dates:Jun 26, 2009 - Jun 28, 2009

Hours:Friday, June 26, 6 - 11 pm Saturday, June 27, 1 - 11 pm Sunday, June 28, 12 Noon - 8 pm

Location:8700 W. Lawrence Ave.Lawrence Ave. & East River Road Chicago, IL 60656

Admission:FREE

Website:For additional information please visit, http://www.ourladymotherchurch.com

Public Transportation:Visit www.transitchicago.com   Chicago Pride Fest Pride Fest ushers in Chicago’s iconic pride parade held on the last weekend of June. Festive, jubilant, fun are just a few of the words to describe this two-day long gathering that is a non-stop early summer party hosted by and benefiting the Northalsted Area Merchants Association. Dates:Jun 26, 2009 - Jun 27, 2009 Hours:Friday, June 26, 3 - 10 pm Saturday, June 27, 11 am - 10 pm Location:Northalsted/BoystownHalsted & Addison Chicago, IL 60613 Admission:FREE Website:For additional information please visit, http://www.chicagoevents.com Public Transportation:#8 Halsted (toward Broadway)Red, Purple & Brown Line Trains to BelmontVisit www.transitchicago.com Randolph Street Market Festival Held one weekend of each summer month, May through September, the Market burst onto Chicago’s fashion scene six years ago, quickly earning an international reputation as one of the finest and most diverse markets in the world. The 2009 grand opening weekend extravaganza brings the Who’s Who of Chicago out for the annual Garden Party theme, showcasing exceptional outdoor living and home accessories, giving shoppers the opportunity to furnish their gardens and patios. For the first time, The Oprah Store will offer an array of specialty items at the Randolph Street Market Festival. In keeping with the Garden Party theme in May, shoppers can browse the store’s exclusive line of private label seasonal merchandise perfect for patios: drinking glasses, melamine serving trays and dinner plates, beach totes, towels and flip flops. Shoppers can also walk one block south and four blocks east of the market to The Oprah Store to shop their entire selection of merchandise, including apparel for women, men, and children, as well as home decor, African arts and crafts, gift items and pet products. The Oprah Store will be in the Market every month with the exception of June.   Dates:May 23, 2009 : May 24, 2009 : Jun 27, 2009 : Jun 28, 2009 : Jul 25, 2009Jul 26, 2009 : Aug 29, 2009 : Aug 30, 2009 : Sep 26, 2009 : Sep 27, 2009 Hours:Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm; Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm Location:Randolph Street Market1350 W. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60661 Admission:$10; students (with valid ID) $5; children (12 and under) FREE. Admission is good for both days. Accessibility:Accessible wheelchair entrance(s) Public Transportation:El: Green and Pink Lines to Ashland/Lake. For more travel information, please visitwww.transitchicago.com. Free trolley transportation is provided as courtesy to shoppers. Departures at the top of each hour, from 11 am – 3 pm from Water Tower Place (835 N. Michigan Ave.) and every 30 minutes from 11:30 am – 4:30 pm from Randolph Street Market. Ample free parking is also available.  Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade The 40th Annual Chicago Pride Parade steps off from the corner of Halsted and Belmont at 12 Noon. Dates:Jun 28, 2009   Hours:Starts @ 12 Noon   Location:On North Halsted St.Halsted St. & Belmont Ave. Chicago, IL 60613   Admission:FREE   Website:For additional information please visit, http://www.chicagopridecalendar.org Public Transportation:Visit www.transitchicago.com

Race to the Taste

Dates:Jun 28, 2009

Hours:5K Race start time: 8 am2-Mile Walk start time: 8:05 amKids Dash start time: 9 am

Location:Start/finish is located at Columbus and Balbo (Southwest corner of Buckingham Fountain) Columbus Dr. & Balbo Dr. Chicago, IL 60604

Website:For additional information please visit, http://www.tasteofchicago.us

Public Transportation:Visit www.transitchicago.com

Taste of Chicago

Dates:Jun 26, 2009 - Jul 5, 2009

Hours:11 am - 9 pm  Sunday, July 5, 11 am - 6 pm Ticket Sales End @ 8:30pm

Location:Main EntranceMichigan Ave. & Congress Dr. Chicago, IL 60604

Admission:FREE Admission into the festival grounds. FREE Admission to see the concerts at the Petrillo Music Shell. Food & Beverage TicketsFood and beverages are sold by tickets only. Tickets are sold in strips of 12 for $8 at the festival, which includes a $2 surcharge that contributes to event amenities including clean up, security and recycling.Each vendor has the food prices posted on their booth. More than 200 different food items are available at the event, with no food item costing more than 10 tickets “Taste of” portions (smaller offerings of one of the restaurants menu items) are available for 1-4 tickets.Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted at the ticket booths. Positive I.D. is required when making a credit card purchase.

Website:For additional information please visit, http://www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents

Accessibility:City of Chicago Summer Lakefront Festival Accessibility Policy

Public Transportation:Visit www.transitchicago.comWeekday Lunchtime Trolley Program:FREEWeekdays during the Taste of Chicago from 11am-2pm         Dates: Friday, June 26 Monday, June 29 Tuesday, June 30 Wednesday, July 1 Thursday, July 2  Trolleys will pick up at various locations in the loop and drop off at the Taste of Chicago.         Trolley Stops: Union Station  - 210 S. Canal St. Ogilvie Station (Citigroup Center) - 500 W. Madison St. Chase Building (Madison and Clark) - 21 S. Clark St. Sears Tower - 233 S. Wacker Dr. AT&T Corp Center (Franklin and Monroe) Corner of Monroe and State 333 N. Wacker Drive (Franklin and Lake) - 333 W. Wacker Dr. 35 W. Wacker Drive ABC 7 (State and Lake) - 190 N State St.  Parking:If you are driving, park directly under the action in Millennium Garages. Visitwww.millenniumgarages.com for details.

Check out this new property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 309 898 Wellington in Chicago. This property has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Top floor 2 Bed, 2 Bath balcony unit with garage parking included. Lots of Natural light, needs some updating. Attractively priced for quick sale. No rentals and not pets. Easy walk to local library, shopping, grocery, theater, fitness center. Seller related to IL Licensee. .

Randolph Street is the home to many favorite restaurants like 160 Blue, Marche, Red Light just to name a few.  Nearby is the Lake Street Fashion Bountiques and Fulton Market Warehouse District featuring true timber and concrete warehouse lofts, art galleries and restaurants, night clubs and pubs.  This is a great weekend to check out the Randolph Street, West Loop and West Loop Gate neighborhoods by stopping in on the Taste of Randolph Street Festival.

Suggested donation of $10 for admission and here are the bands performing this weekend at the festival.

June 19:
Dr. Dog 8:30-10:00
These United States 7:00-8:00
Miles Nielsen 5:30-6:30

June 20:
Tinted Windows 9:00-10:00
Urge Overkill 7:15-8:30
The Posies performing “Frosting on the Beater” 5:30-6:45
Ultra Sonic Edukators 4:15-5:00

Dan and Leland 3:00-3:45

June 21:
The Hold Steady 8:00-9:30
The Ladies & Gentlemen 6:45-7:30
Regal Standard 5:30-6:15
Old Fake 4:15-5:00
Baby Loves Disco 2:00-4:00

If you like to check out a loft to see if it’s the right lifestyle for you, give one of our real estate professionals a call or check out our featured listings www.LoftsNHomes.com/312May3L.asp

Puerto Rican Parade The 2009 Puerto Rican Parade will take place on June 20th in Downtown Chicago.

Dates:Jun 20, 2009

Hours:Starts @ 12 Noon

Location:Downtown ChicagoColumbus Dr. & Balbo Dr. Chicago, IL 60605

Admission:FREE

Website:For additional information please visit, http://www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents

Public Transportation:Visit www.transitchicago.com   Chicago’s Festa Pasta Vino Onesti Entertainment has taken years of research and countless European travels to bring a fresh authenticity to its self-produced Italian festivals. Statues, fountains, cultural exhibits, mouth-watering Italian food specialties, imported merchandise and a variety of unique entertainment make up a home-made recipe for an amazing festival experience. Dates:Jun 19, 2009 - Jun 21, 2009 Hours:Friday, 5-11pm; Saturday, Noon-11pm; Sunday, Noon-9pm Location:Between 24th to 2600 S. Oakley2400 S. Oakley Ave. Chicago, IL 60608 Admission:Suggested Donations. Website:For additional information please visit, http://www.oshows.com Public Transportation:Visit www.transitchicago.com   Close Up 2 Smooth Jazz Festival A smooth jazz festival featuring local and national smooth jazz bands with food, art and craft vendors. Dates:Jun 19, 2009 - Jun 21, 2009 Hours:12 Noon - 10 pm Location:Pritzker ParkState & Van Buren Chicago, IL 60605 Admission:FREE Website:For additional information please visit, http://www.closeup2jazz.com Accessibility:Yes, open park. Public Transportation:Visit www.transitchicago.com   St. Josaphat’s SummerFest St. Josaphat’s SummerFest is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening with food, fun and great music. It is very kid friendly and a manageable street festival with special music at night from Hairbanger’s Ball and Mike and Joe and children’s entertainment on Saturday and Sunday afternoon! Dates:Jun 19, 2009 - Jun 21, 2009 Hours:Friday, June 19, 6 - 10 pm; Saturday, June 20, 12 - 10 pm; Sunday, June 21, 12 - 4 pm Location:Lincoln Park2311 N. Southport Chicago, IL 60614 Admission:FREE.  $5 Donations Before 5pm and $10 Donations After 5pm Discounts for Seniors and Students with College Id’s. Website:For additional information please visit, http://www.sjsummerfest.com Public Transportation:Red Line to Fullerton.  Fullerton Bus to Southport. Visit www.transitchicago.com   Belmont Arts and Music Festival A neighborhood festival bursting with local artwork, music, food and spirits along Belmont Ave. Dates:Jun 20, 2009 - Jun 21, 2009 Hours:12 - 10 pm Location:Belmont from Damen to OakleyBelmont & Damen Chicago, IL 60657 Admission:FREE Website:For additional information please visit, http://www.chicagoevents.com Public Transportation:Visit www.transitchicago.com   Chicago Summerfest This two-day summer festival features live music, an upscale art show, great food and drink and a family area for the kids.  Chicago Summerfest brings together 25,000 of Chicago’s movers and shakers.  This event is on the attendees’ love and participants love more! Dates:Jun 20, 2009 - Jun 21, 2009 Hours:Saturday, June 20, 12 Noon - 10 pm; Sunday, June 21, 11 am - 9 pm Location:Lincoln Park Cultural Center2100 N. Lincoln Park Chicago, IL 60614 Admission:FREE; $5 Donations Website:For additional information please visit, http://www.StarEvents.com Public Transportation:Visit www.transitchicago.com

Party at St. Mike’s For the 25th consecutive year, Party at St. Mike’s will shift Chicago’s summer festival season into high gear with three nights of heart-pounding live entertainment, June 12 through 14 outside of St. Michael’s church in Old Town. Music fanatics from far and near are invited to raise the roof on this typically quite residential nook, with Chicago uber-group Freddy Jones Band hitting the climax on June 13! Legendary 80’s cover band Hairbangers Ball will rock out of the gates on June 12, while Mike & Joe cap things off with an exclamation mark on June 14!

Dates: Jun 12, 2009 - Jun 14, 2009

Hours: Friday, 5 - 10 pm; Saturday, 3 - 10 pm; Sunday, 3 - 9 pm

Location: St. Michael’s of Old Town 1711 N. Cleveland Chicago, IL 60614

Admission: $5.00 each day / $10 after 7 pm on Saturday. All access/all weekend VIP passes pre-sold for $12 per person.

Website: For additional information please visit, http://www.bigcreekevents.com

Accessibility: Handicap Accessible

Public Transportation: Near Red & Brown Line Trains.Visit www.transitchicago.com

Ribfest Chicago: Taste the Flavor of Northcenter What ignited in the summer of 1999 as a community block party has exploded into Chicago’s most anticipated street festival. Averaging 65,000 pounds of ribs and featuring 25 bands in 25 hours, more than 50,000 people are expected to kick-off summer at the three-day long Ribfest Chicago. As featured in local and national media, Ribfest invites all Chicagoland restaurant barbecue masters to compete for the title of “Best Ribs,” but our love of food expands far beyond just barbecue. Other food honors include “Fest Fave” (favorite food item at the festival) and “Hot Off the Grill” (best overall Griller). And the now-famous “Kids Square” provides hours of entertainment for kids of all ages … allowing hundreds of children to slide, climb, jump, ride, sing, dance and enjoy live entertainment all weekend long. Ribfest promises to provide the City with a memorable weekend of lively music, family fun and satisfied appetites as we celebrate 11 years of unforgettable barbecue.

Dates: Jun 12, 2009 - Jun 14, 2009

Hours: Friday, 5 - 10 pm; Saturday & Sunday, Noon - 10 pm

Location: Northcenter 4000 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60618

Admission: FREE

Website: For additional information please visit, http://www.ribfest-chicago.com

Public Transportation: Irving Park (Brown Line), Damen Bus (#50), Lincoln Bus (#11) or Irving Park Bus (#80)Visit www.transitchicago.com

Old Town Art Fair Celebrating 60 years, the Old Town Art Fair is one of the oldest outdoor juried art fairs in the country. The fair has 260 exhibitors, an entertainment stage; a children’s’ corner, a food court, and a self guided garden tour. It all takes place on charming residential streets of historic Old Town.

Dates: Jun 13, 2009 - Jun 14, 2009

Hours: 10 am - 6 pm

Location: Old Town Triangle 1763 N. North Park Chicago, IL 60614

Admission: Requested Donation: $7, no request for donation for children 12 or under.

Website: For additional information please visit, http://www.oldtownartfair.org

Accessibility: Yes.  The fair take place on residential streets.

Public Transportation: Sedgwick on Brown Lines & BusesVisit www.transitchicago.com

Wells Street Art Festival The Wells Street Art Festival is recognized as one of Chicago’s most prestigious art fairs, attracting exhibitors and prospective buyers from all over the nation. The show features a wide variety of fine art - everything from glass and ceramics, to pencil drawings and oil paintings - plus a silent auction and children’s area. Musicians performing along Wells Street will make you forget you’re at an outdoor festival! Besides the main attraction of world-class art, The Wells Street Art Festival offers a vast array of entertainment. A main music stage features continuous live rock, jazz, and top-name, nationally-renowned headline entertainment. In addition, the festival boasts a vast assortment of Chicago’s best food, live musicians along Wells Street, a silent auction and more! you.

Dates: Jun 13, 2009 - Jun 14, 2009

Hours: 10 am - 10 pm

Location: Old Town N. Wells & North Chicago, IL 60610

Admission: FREE; $7 Donation.

Website: For additional information please visit, http://www.chicagoevents.com

Public Transportation: Red Line to Clark & Division, walk West to North Ave.  Brown & Purple Lines to Sedgewick, walk East to Division.Visit www.transitchicago.com

Visiting these neighborhood festivals is a great way to get to know the neighborhood(s) that surround where you live and play while taking in some great music and fresh air and getting to know some of your neighbors!  If you are in the market, we would be happy to share with you a list of available properties in these properties also!

Here’s another way to help reduce energy consumption globally, a bit of electricity and do something different on a Saturday night.  You can help by posting it on your own blog, internet site, telling your friends and family about it and maybe even use it as a way to get together with some of your friends.

The Earth Hour initiative has been growing in popularity in the U.S. and locally in the Chicago over the past couple of years.  The initiative started in in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

The way to vote is to turn off your lights for one hour this Saturday night from 8:30-9:30 PM  It’s also a good way to get an awesome photo op with the Earth Hour Panda.

For more information about this global initiative visit www.earthhour.org to find out how you can get involved.

Tax credits are now available for home improvements:

What was once only avaiable for building owners, builders and developers are now available to residential homeowners, thanks to President Obama’s Administration.  When buyers (especially first time homebuyers) are looking to purchase a property, they will almost always purchase the property with various updates and improvements over the properties that do not have them assuming that all other factors (location, size of property and amenities) are of equal comparison.  The reason for this is usually that most buyers do not want to spend money on improving the property and would rather use that money in other things like the purchase of new furniture. 

I have copied the highlights of the program as posted on www.EnergyStar.Gov/taxcredit.

• must be “placed in service” from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010
• must be for taxpayer’s principal residence
• $1,500 is the maximum total amount that can be claimed for all products placed in service in 2009 & 2010 for most home improvements, EXCEPT for geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, fuel cells, and windmills which are not subject to this cap, and are in effect through 2016
• must have a Manufacturer Certification Statement³ to qualify
• for record keeping, save your receipts and the Manufacturer Certification Statement³
• improvements made in 2009 will be claimed on your 2009 taxes (filed by April 15, 2010) — use IRS Tax Form 5695 (2009 version) — it will be available late 2009 or early 2010
• If you are building a new home, you can qualify for the tax credit for geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaics, solar water heaters, small wind systems and fuel cells, but not the tax credits for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC, or non-solar water heaters. More.

In addition to these tax credits that can be applied this year and next, Many of the costs of home improvements can be applied to your basis when filing your taxes for the year that your primary residence is being sold — we recommend that you keep all your home repair and maintenance and consult a certified tax professional or CPA to help you sort out the receipts that can help your individual tax situation.  The key is to keep good records and receipts to bring to your tax professional!

Home improvements and repairs need to happen whether you are planning on selling this year, next year or some time down the line.  In addition to the new tax credits, energy efficient materials and appliances also help reduce your (and the buyer’s)overall energy and utility costs over time. so why not consider items that will also provide a tax credit? 

For more details on the tax credit and how much credit can be applied to various home improvement items, visit www.energystar.gov/taxcredit or contact a real estate professional at C&C Realty Group, Inc. www.LoftsNHomes.com