What to do Labor Day Weekend

 

Navy Pier. (J Jacobs photo)
Navy Pier. (J Jacobs photo)

Except for the falling leaves, it’s hard to believe that Labor Day Weekend is almost here.

With the pandemic changing our lifestyle, vacation plans and the events we usually use to mark off warm weather months such as the Chicago Air and Water Show, the usual Labor Day holiday might feel like just another weekend unless we plan something special.

Navy Pier

Chicago’s most popular destination will close Tues., Sept. 8, 2020 until sometime in spring of 2021 so plan an outing to the Pier Labor Day Weekend.

Stretching out into Lake Michigan at 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago’s arguably most popular destination will close Tues., Sept. 8, 2020 until sometime in spring of 2021 so plan an outing to the Pier Labor Day Weekend.

If you enjoy jazz, singers and bands, plan to spend some time in the Miller Lite Beer Garden. See the Saturday, Sept.. 5 schedule at Live on the Lake  and the Sept. 6 schedule at Navy Pier/events.

Cruise

Sightsee by boat from Navy Pier while it’s open or take the cruise from the Chicago River piers at Michigan Avenue.  Check dates, safety protocols and tickets at NavyPier/cruises.

Chicago Architecture Center Tours

CAC at 111 E Wacker Drive, will be running its popular Architecture River Tours during Labor Day weekend. Cruises leave across Wacker at Michigan Avenue down on the river

But it also has some interesting walking tours such as a Frank Lloyd Wright Oak Park tour on Sun. Sept. 6.

CAC tour tickets go quickly because numbers are decreased according to protocols.

Morton Arboretum

The Arboretum at 4100 IL Hwy 53 has trails to explore,  a  Children’s Garden and the Ginko Restaurant. Visits are by timed tickets so see MortonArbVisit  and Tickets for more information.

Good outdoor art shows to see in July and August

Part of the fun of summer is walking around outdoor art fairs to see what a favorite artist is doing now, visit a suburb or neighborhood on the to do list and get the bod moving without having to exert the same muscles used for sports.

Outdoor art fairs are a chance to enjoy art and visit the host towns and neighborhoods. Jacobs photo
Outdoor art fairs are a chance to enjoy art and visit the host towns and neighborhoods. Jacobs photo

 

July 7-9 Downtown Chicago

After visiting the “Bean” in Millennium park, walk a couple blocks north on Michigan Avenue where you will spy the telltale white tents of an art show. About 130 artists will be there through 5 p.m. July 9. It’s the 9th annual Millennium Art Festival. For other information visit AmdurProductions.

 

July 15 & 16 Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood

The 4th Annual Southport Art Festival, held in the Lakeview Nieighborhood, features about 130 artists on Southport Avenue from Waveland to Byron. It is hosted by the Southport Neighbor’s Association to  benefits local causes. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit AmdurPrioductions.

 

July 22 & 23 Geneva

The Geneva Fine Arts Fair is a good chance to visit the charming town of Geneva, IL west of Chicago. The fair of approximately 175 exhibitors spreads out downtown from at 8 S. Third St. on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit  EMEvents

 

July 29 & 30 Glencoe

About 130 artists set up booths downtown north suburban Glencoe the last weekend of July for the Annual Glencoe Festival of Art. The fair center is Park and Vernon Avenues. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. BTW the interesting structure on Tudor Court a block north of Park Avenue is Writers Theatre designed by Jeanne Gang’s  Studio Gang Architects.  More information: Amdur Productions.

 

Aug. 5 & 6 Glenview

Art at the Glen features 185 arts in The Glen  Tower Center, a section of Glenview, IL that used to hold the Glenview Naval Base that now has a mix of housing and commercial properties plus the Kohl Children’s Museum. Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For other information visit Amdur Productions.

 

Aug. 19 & 20 Oakbrook

The Oak Brook Fine Art Festival is a chance to mix art and fall apparel shopping.It’s held at the  Oakbrook Center Oakbrook Shopping Center, 100 Oakbrook Center. Hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.. For more information visit Amdur Productions .

 

Aug. 26 & 27 Oak Park

The suburb of Oak Park, just west of Chicago is holding its Oak Park Avenue-Lake Arts Crafts Show in Scoville Park at Oak Park Ave and Lake Street. Operated by the American Society of Artists, the hours are Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tip: You might want to look up Frank Lloyd wright’s Oak Park designed structures before you go so you know where to look on the way to or from the art fair. For more information visit the American Society of Artists. For other information visit American Society of Artists.

 

August 26 & 27 Highland Park

Among the top most popular art fairs, The Port Clinton Art Festival draws entries from all over the world and visitors from across the Midwest. About 265 artists’ booths take over the Port Clinton outdoor shopping square, Central Avenue and 1st and 2nd Streets. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For other information visit Amdur Productions.

 

August 26 & 27 Chicago’s Bucktown Neighborhood

The last weekend in August is also the Annual Bucktown Arts Fest. Approximately 200 artists will be in Senior Citizens Memorial Park, 2300 N. Oakley Ave & 2300 W. Lyndale St.11 am to 7 pm 200 Artists The Bucktown Arts Fest is a non-profit, all volunteer-run, neighbourhood celebration of the arts. The fair benefits arts education programming at Holstein Park and in the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhoods. For other information visit Bucktown Arts Fest.