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Summer Events in Chicago
-By Janice Riddle
If you are looking for fun in the
sun, the city of Chicago Mayor's Office of Special Events annually
hosts activities over the summer. These festivities bring people
together from across the globe to experience diversity and entertainment
while having an exciting yet relaxing time participating in the
events.
"There is always an activity going
on in downtown Chicago in the summer. It is so fun to live where
summer festivals are held and the admission is free. I have been
going to the city's summer events since I was a teenager and I
always have a great time," says 22-year-old DePaul University
student and Chicago native, Stacy Bohanon.
This year there are a variety of
events that the public can attend and the admission is free. All
of the events are located in the heart of downtown Chicago. The
music festivals are held in the Petrillo Band Shell in Grant Park.
Bike Chicago 2002 will be held
from May 17 until June 16. This event promotes the benefits of
bicycling. The city will also host its 4th annual Great Chicago
Places and Spaces from May 18 to May 19. The event will feature
the Chicago architectural scene.
The 19th Annual Chicago Blues Festival
will be held from May 30 to June 2. This event is the largest
blues festival in the world and brings different people together
despite ethnicity, age or denomination.
The 18th Annual Chicago Gospel
Music Festival will be held from June 7 to June 9. This event
celebrates the richness of gospel music by having different artist
perform their songs.
The 22nd Annual Taste of Chicago
is known throughout the world. The Taste of Chicago will be held
from June 28 to July 7. This event allows many people to experience
different ethnic specialties and cuisines while still engaging
in all the summer fun that Chicago has to offer.
The 12th Annual Chicago Country
Music Festival will be held from June 29 to June 30. This event
brings well-known country music artists to Chicago and adds a
country flavor to the city.
The 10th Annual Race to the Taste
will be held on June 30. This event encourages all Taste of Chicago-goers
to work up an appetite before enjoying all the wonderful foods
that the Taste has to offer.
Independence Eve Fireworks Spectacular
will be held on July 3. This is an event that displays a beautiful
array of fireworks, celebrating America's Independence Day.
There are a host of events that
will last until summer officially ends like the 3rd Annual Chicago
Outdoor Film Festival will be held from July 16 until August 27.
The 9th Annual Mayor's Cup Youth Soccer Tournament that will be
held from July 20 until July 21. The 45th Annual Venetian Night,
which will be held on July 2, will feature its annual boat parade.
The 44th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show will be held from August
17 until August 18. The 14th Annual "Viva! Chicago" Latin Music
Festival will be held from August 24 until August 25. And finally
to conclude the summer events will be the 24th Annual Chicago
Jazz Festival, which will be held from August 29 until September
1.
"People should attend the city's
summer festivals because it makes people more culturally aware
of their surroundings and the rich diversity of Chicago. It's
a way to get away from the daily life of work and stress and really
enjoy your day with your family, children and friends. This is
also a way to teach children to have respect not only for themselves
but for people of different ethnicities and backgrounds," says
Carmen Hernandez, Senior Account Executive for the City of Chicago.
For more details on the Mayor's Office of Special Events: http://www.ci.chi.il.us/SpecialEvents.
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