St. Patrick's Day Family Friendly Festivities

Chicago is never short on St. Patrick's Day festivities, and there are plenty that are fun for the entire family. Here's a few of our top picks for you to try out this weekend:

SATURDAY MARCH 12

St. Patrick's Day Fireworks
Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago
Spend the day finding a variety of family fun activities at Navy Pier, and then at 7pm enjoy a special winter-time fireworks display. The 10 minute show will be set to a themed soundtrack featuring traditional Celtic songs and modern Irish artists.

Dyeing the Chicago River
It's an annual tradition, and until you've seen it in person you can't fathom just how "green" the river can be! Starting at 10am, the dyeing can be best viewed from the East side of the Michigan Avenue bridge, the West side of the Columbus Drive bridge or upper and lower Wacker Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.

St. Patrick's Downtown Parade
After you see the river dyed green, shop a bit until the main event starts at noon. The parade begins at Columbus Drive and Balbo and then heads north to Monroe.

St. Patrick's Festival
Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N Knox Ave, Chicago
Make a downtown day of it - after the big parade, head over to the IAHC for this large-scale, family-oriented event that includes traditional and contemporary Irish music, dance, food and children’s activities. The festivities begin at 1pm and go until midnight, with live entertainment by Chicago Irish music groups and family friendly fare like the Wiggleworms and the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance. More details at www.irish-american.org

Naperville St. Patrick's Day Parade
Starting at Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill Street
The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. from Naperville North High School then continues south on Mill Street, east on Jefferson Avenue, south on Main Street and west on Water Street to the Municipal Center.

SUNDAY MARCH 13

St. Patrick's Northwest Side Parade
Starts at Onahan School, 6633 W. Raven St.
The Northwest Side Irish host their 8th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, with this year's participants including The Jesse White Tumblers, The Emerald Society Band, Mullane Irish Dancers, St. Patrick’s High School Jazz Band, Trinity Irish Dancers and more. The parade starts at noon at 6633 W. Raven (Onahan School) and will run south up Neola Avenue to Northwest Highway north to Harlem Avenue, ending at Harlem Avenue. The after party is from 1-5pm at Immaculate Conception Elementary School, 6211 W. Talcott. Tickets for the after party are $5 for kids 10 and under, and $10 for adults. Learn more.

DeKalb Corn Fest

This weekend, Friday - Sunday, is DeKalb Corn Fest, one of the last remaining free summer music festivals in Illinois. If you don't mind hopping in the car and taking a drive outside Chicago, you'll be rewarded with all sorts of fun activities for the entire family. And - it's FREE!

This festival features a carnival complete with rides and games, food booths, live music, an inflatable bounce house, balloons, games, tattoos, a craft show and family entertainment.

On Friday night, Kid’s Fest presents the NI Dance Center at 5 pm and Monkeys and More Exotic Animal Rescue Show from 6-7:30 pm on the Community Stage. Then on Saturday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm and on Sunday from 12:00, the Kishwaukee YMCA will be hosting an Art Fest in the Kid Fest area.

On Sunday, Colonial will be hosting an Ice Cream Eating Contest for all ages. Registration starts at 11:30 in the Kid Fest area and the competition begins at noon. There's even a laser tag arena!

For more details and directions, visit www.cornfest.com/kidfest.html.

Retro on Roscoe

By now you've probably heard about Kidzapalooza, taking place at Grant Park this weekend as part of the Lollapalooza music festival. It's sure to be amazing - it's an enormous event, but with that comes enormous crowds... and a not too tiny ticket price.

So if you're not planning to spend the weekend - and some serious cash - with Lollapalooza, there's a great smaller festival that has some equally big performers.

Retro on Roscoe takes place this Saturday and Sunday in Chicago's hip and family friendly Roscoe Village neighborhood, near Roscoe and Damen. This has always been one of my favorite city festivals, even before Mia was born, and now as a mom it's not any exception. This festival has an amazing kids music lineup, with a price tag that can't be beat ($5 donation)

The Family area, ope from noon - 6pm, offers games, activities, face painting, a balloon artist, inflatables and crafts.

The entertainment lineup includes:

Saturday August 7

12pm Trinity Irish Dancers
1pm The Sparkle Monkeys
2pm Justin Roberts

Sunday August 8

12pm School of Rock
1pm Mad Science
2pm Ralph's World

Justin Roberts and Ralph's World are two of our favorite kids' performers, and I am SUPER bummed at the timing of their performances. They're both at 2pm, right smack in the middle of Mia's naptime.

The non-kid lineup is pretty fantastic too, featuring Mr. Blotto, 16 Candles, Too White Crew and Trippin Billies, which if you've spent any time at local street fairs, you've likely heard of. Depending on when Mia wakes up, we may end up spending some time with her over at Hairbangers Ball. Maybe we'll see you there!

Folk and Roots Festival and Benfest

Another weekend, another street festival... but this weekend is going to be REALLY great! First, the Kids Tent at Old Town School's Folk & Roots Festival is packed with great kids music and activities. The fun takes place at Welles Park, at Lincoln & Montrose in Chicago. Entertainment includes Wiggleworms in English and Spanish, Kids Rhythm Circle, West African drumming, Hip Hop and Zumba for Kids and much more. Here's the stage lineup:

Saturday, July 11th 2009
12:00p | Wiggleworms with Little Miss Ann
12:50p | Ecuadorian Folk Dance with Carmen - Nuestra Música
1:40p | Cowpoke Sing-along with Annie
2:30p | Storytime Dances with Jen
3:25p | Laura Doherty
4:35p | Kids Rhythm Circle with Lenny
5:30p | Special Music by Special People

Sunday, July 12th 2009
12:00p | Wiggleworms with Julie
12:50p | Hip Hop Kidz with Lyn
1:45p | Remember the '80s? with The Swing Sets
2:45p | West African Drumming with Rick Neuhaus
3:40p | Erin Flynn Band

I'll for sure be rousing Mia from her afternoon nap on Saturday so we can see Laura Doherty - she's been a fan since she was 9 months old!

The other festival loaded with great kids music is Benfest, taking place at 2215 W. Irving Park Rd. I'm a little late to post for Friday, but Saturday's lineup include:

4:00pm - Emily Palmer
4:30pm - Basketball Skills & Games
4:45pm - Mary Macaroni
5:30pm - Hula Hoop Contest
6:00pm - CircEsteem
6:30pm - Pie Eating Contest
6:45pm - Super Stolie & Rockstar Tommy

And both festivals offer plenty of entertainment for adults as well, so there's fun for the entire family. Enjoy!

Taste of Chicago Family Fun Stage

You've always known that it's a good idea to bring your appetite to Taste of Chicago, but did you know it's just as good of an idea to bring the kids?! In addition to the great food that Taste is known for, the Family Fun Stage is hosting daily entertainment that includes some of Chicago's finest.

Every day, from 11:30am until at least 5pm, the stage is filled with family friendly music, dance shows, comedy and more. Some highlights include Ella Jenkins, the Little Miss Anne Band,
ComedySportz, Mr. Singer & the Sharp Cookies, and Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players.

On Sunday June 27 at 11:30, it's Taste of Talent, where finalists age 4-14 compete for prizes in a judged competition - and yours truly will be one of the judges!

This will make for a lengthy post, but here's the totally awesome Family Fun Stage schedule:

Friday, June 25, 2010
•11:30 am - Dauphin Theatricals
•12:30 pm - The Shushybyes
•2 pm - On Broadway Dancers from Coal City, IL
•3 pm - Michael Jackson “King of Pop” Tribute featuring Rico “Michael Jackson Tribute Artist,” Tiny Temptations, So Crucial Dance Team, fcbc Educational Theatre “Expressions of MJ”, Dance lessons by Chicago Dance Institute, and Dance Party with DJ Yella of WeJam DJ Services
•6:15 pm - The Happiness Club

Saturday, June 26, 2010
•11:30 am - The Shushybyes
•12:45 pm - Ella Jenkins
•1:45 pm - Kidz Clog & Cloggin’ Craze
•2:45 pm - Linda’s Dance Studio – Blast from the Past Dancers (2009 Taste of Talent All-Star)
•3:05 pm - Gospel Motion of Praise
•3:35 pm - Just Us Kids of the All City Elementary Youth Chorus
•4:30 pm - Stomping at the Taste – Step & Drill Team Showcase
Featuring: Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts Step Team, South Suburban Drill Team, Calumet Step Team, Mu Sigma Theta Elite Step Team, North Lawndale College Prep Step Team, Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts Varsity Cheerleaders, Alpha GEMS, HF Steppers, New Generation Fancy Drill Team, Alpha GENTS, Wheeling High School’s Crucial Step Clique
Hosted by WGCI’s DJ MoonDawg, music by DJ Zo of WeJam DJ Services

Sunday, June 27, 2010
•11:30 am - 15th annual Taste of Talent (finalists ages 4-14 compete for prizes)
•3 pm - The Little Miss Ann Band
•4 pm - M.A.D.D. Rhythms
•5 pm - The Ankle Todd Show! Chicago’s Newest Show for Kids of All Ages
•6 pm - Jeanie B. and The Jelly Beans

Monday, June 28, 2010
•11:30 am - Misericordia Heartbreakers & Heartzingers
•12:20 pm - It’s Hip Hop, Baby!
•12:40 pm - Special Music by Special People
•1:30 pm - It’s Hip Hop, Baby!
•2 pm - Dave Rudolf’s Beach Party
•2:55 pm - It’s Hip Hop, Baby!
•3:30 pm - Breakdance Chicago
•3:50 pm - Fun with Wontons ~ Cooking demo with After School Matters Chef Gloria D. Hafer
•4:30 pm - Radio Disney AM 1300 Road Crew (games, music, prizes)
•5:40 pm - It’s Hip Hop, Baby! www.itshiphopbaby.com
•6:10 pm - ZC Flawless Drumline (2009 Taste of Talent All-Star)
•6:35 pm - Faith Bardney (2008 Taste of Talent All-Star)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - International Day presented by Jamaica Tourist Board
•11:30 am - Samba 1 Dance Group
•12 pm - Jamaican One Man Band
•1 pm - Cirque Shanghai: Cloud 9
•1:30 pm - McNulty School of Irish Dance
•2 pm - Indonesian Performing Arts Chicago
•2:30 pm - Japanese Culture Center
•3 pm - Halau ‘O Manulani
•3:25 pm - Las Guitarras De Espana (The Guitars Of Spain)
•4 pm - Everyone Loves a Story! Interactive presentation of Oba-Tales for the entire family
•4:30 pm - Dahnyeekah African Dance Troupe
•5 pm - Urban Flamenco Arts Project
•5:30 pm - Building Bridges – African Folk Tales with Drum…A wonderful celebration of human spirit and the family of mankind
•6 pm - Jamaican One Man Band

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - Little Rockers Day presented by 93XRT
•11:30 am - XRT Show
•12:30 pm - The School of Rock
•1:30 pm - Rock For Kids
•2:30 pm - XRT Show
•3:30 pm - Old Town School of Folk Music presents Young Stracke All-Stars & Friends
•4:30 pm - Old Town School of Folk Music presents The Dreamtree Shakers Quartet
•5:30 pm - 2nd Thought

Thursday, July 1, 2010 - Healthy Kids Day presented by United Healthcare
•11:30 am - Stretch-n-Grow, Fabulously Fun Fitness for Kids!
•12:20 pm - Family Bootcamp with Dewayne Montgomery, Kobra Fitness (cardiovascular, calisthetics & core exercises for all fitness levels)
•1:10 pm - Hip-Hop Yoga with Mindful Practices
•2:15 pm - You Are What You Eat! Join Greg Christian, Chicago’s Conscious Caterer, to learn about identifying and cooking with local and organic foods!
•3 pm - Healthy Kids Challenge: Ready, Set, Cook, Eat (cook-off)
•4 pm - Miss Lori and The CAMPUS Kids – Awesome Health Tour
•5 pm - ComedySportz
•5:45 pm - PKay’s Health & Fitness Hoop Aerobics (hula hoop fitness)

Friday, July 2, 2010
•11:30 am - Mr. Singer & the Sharp Cookies
•12:45 pm - CircEsteem, The Chicago Youth Circus
•1:30 pm - Recess Monkey
•2:45 pm - ComedySportz
•4 pm - 3rd annual Battle of the Bands (finalists ages 13-19 compete for prizes)

Saturday, July 3, 2010
•11:30 am - Recess Monkey
•12:30 pm - Six Flags Great America presents the Mr. Six Dance Party – Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie!
•1:30 pm - Super Stolie and The Rockstars
•2:30 pm - Six Flags Great America presents the Mr. Six Dance Party – Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie!
•3:15 pm - Radio Disney AM 1300 Road Crew (games, music, prizes)
•4:30 pm - ComedySportz

Sunday, July 4, 2010
•11:30 am - Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players
•12:30 pm - Max Lulich (2009 Taste of Talent All-Star)
•12:55 pm - Chi-Town Cheerleaders (2002 Taste of Talent All-Star)
•1:20 pm - Amy Lowe Trio
•2:20 pm - Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players
•3:20 pm - Chi-Town Cheerleaders (2002 Taste of Talent All-Star)
•3:30 pm - ComedySportz
•4:15 pm - Jesse White Tumbling Team