It may be nearing the end of August, but there's no slowing the pace of street fests. This weekend is one of the busiest of the year, with tons of food trucks, bands and artists taking over neighborhoods from Little Italy to Pilsen to Bucktown and beyond. A handful offer ethnic ties-Festa Italiana, Brazil Fest, Taste of Greektown and Ukrainian Days-while others are all about celebrating their respective 'hoods. You probably won't be able to hit all of them, but we would never dream of discouraging you from trying. kbernot@tribune.com | @redeyeeatdrink
Where: Taylor Street between Racine Street and Ashland Avenue
When: 5-11 p.m. Thursday and Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; 2-10 p.m. Sunday
How much: $5 suggested donation
Don't miss: Yes, there will be bands, MCs and other entertainment, but let's be real: You're here for the food. If you're seriously hungry, register for the meatball slider-eating contest (Thursday at 7 and 9:30 p.m.; Friday at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; various times Saturday and Sunday) at the Turano/Fontanini booth to see how many meatballs you can gobble within two minutes. Winos may want to pencil in The Great Grape Stomp, taking place Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with open-to-the-public stomps Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Wabash Avenue between 13th Street. and 14th Place
When: Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
How much: $5 suggested donation
Don't miss: The 10th annual South Loop fest offers live music, food trucks, a mechanical bull, dunk tank and more during this classic two-day neighborhood bash. Bop along to Get Up With The Get Downs (5:50 p.m. Sunday) or Mr. Blotto (8 p.m. Sunday) while munching on food truck fare from Beavers Coffee & Donuts, The Fat Shallot, 5411 Empanadas and others.
Where: 400 S. Halsted St.
When: Noon-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
How much: Free to attend. Free-will donations benefit Chicago Greektown Chamber of Commerce
Don't miss: This food-and-culture fest, formerly Taste of Greece, highlights all of the flavors that make Greektown one of Chicago's best food neighborhoods. Introduce your taste buds to goodies from Greek Islands, Santorini, The Parthenon, Artopolis and more, plus check out authentic Greek music, games and art.
Where: Logan Boulevard at Milwaukee Avenue
When: 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday
How much: $5 suggested donation
Don't miss: This second annual fest aims to share a bit of Brazil with the Midwest through food, music, dance and art. Get your booty moving with sets by DJ NewLife (4:45 p.m. Sunday), Swing Brasileiro (8:40 p.m. Friday), Chicago Samba (8:30 p.m. Saturday) and more. Don't sweat it if you're a newbie; samba lessons (3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 7:45 p.m. Sunday) and Zumba classes (7:15 p.m. Friday; 1:15 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday) will school you in the basics.
Where: 3100 W. Logan Boulevard
When: 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
How much: $5 suggested donation
Don't miss: Two stages host three days of diverse bands including garage rockers The Whigs (9 p.m. Friday), electronic trio Cosby Sweater (6 p.m. Saturday) and jazz/funk/fusion act Snarky Puppy (8 p.m. Sunday) among others. Sip craft beer and pick up snacks from local restaurants, then check out the official after-party-a performance by electronic rock/blues duo BoomBox (11 p.m. Saturday) at new Logan Square music venue Concord Music Hall (2047 N. Milwaukee Ave.).
Where: Smith Park (2526 W. Grand Ave.)
When: Noon-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; official program begins at approximately 2 p.m. Sunday
How much: $5 suggested donation
Don't miss: If Ukrainian and Eastern European food, drink and entertainment are your jam, pencil in this two-day festival of ethnic eats plus dancing and live music.
Bucktown Arts Fest
Where: Senior Citizens Memorial Park (2228 N. Oakley Ave.)
When: 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
How much: Free to attend
Don't miss: This low-key neighborhood art fest highlights the work of nearly 200 visual artists as well as local musical acts such as folk-rock-blues act Bunkertown (4 p.m. Saturday) and rockers Tim Menard and the Flying Nowakowski Brothers (6 p.m. Sunday). River North Distributing supplies craft brews such as Summit Summer Ale and Virtue Red Streak cider for purchase.
See RedEye's full summer fest planner at redeyechicago.com/fests
Upcoming fests: Aug. 29-Sept. 8: Chicago Fringe Festival (Jefferson Park); Aug. 29-Sept.1: Chicago Jazz Festival (Loop); Aug. 30-Sept.1: North Coast Music Festival (Union Park); Aug.31-Sept.1: Remix Chicago (Logan Square)