Pints, Pooches & Parties; Oh Mayfest!

I love the city of Chicago!

No, really I do. Especially in the summer time! There’s always something going on, right? Well, if you didn’t know that and find yourself bored on the weekends you can look forward to festival season. It’s quickly approaching and the city and burbs (yes, I know it’s suburbs) offer a variety of activities during the warm months. From the middle of May till the end of September, you can catch something every weekend.

The first totally fun filled neighborhood festival to kick off the season is Mayfest on May 18th. Located in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Lakeview, Mayfest will have plenty of live entertainment including Chicago’s very own 16 Candles!! Not to mention great food and drinks, stuff for the kids to do and a pet parade and pet expo for all you animal lovers out there. Live bands performing will be rockin’ under one of the largest tents around the city! If that won’t get you there… then keep reading!

The people of The Higgins Animal Clinic will be presenting the pet parade and pet expo. Interested in showing off your pooch? Deck it out and show it off! There will be a lot of different categories for competition including Best Trick, Best Dressed and oddly enough, a Pet and Owner Look Alike category. Radio personality, Lisa Dent from US 99.5 and Illinois Lottery personality Linda Kollmeyer will be emceeing this year. All different kinds of pets will be accepted so come one come all!

Chicago Kids Day will be at Mayfest on May 19th. From 10am-2pm, expect the future of America to get a dosage of learning about health and safety, but in a fun and entertaining way. Free food, fun, balloons, face painting and prizes will all be there donated by the generous people in local organizations and sponsors. In addition, free spinal and dental screenings!

The cost to attend the festival is $10 and benefits the Lakeview YMCA, Northside Parents Network, and the Festival Foundation.

So, grab your friends, children and/or pets and head out to the first summer neighborhood festival, Mayfest! Relax, mingle and enjoy the wonderful city culture that Chicago has to offer!

To find out more, email [email protected] or call (773) 665-4682

–Michael S. Iliopoulos