What are Chicago summer fests for if not dancing to cheesy cover bands and stuffing your face with ribs? This weekend offers the opportunity for both-plus art, books and LGBT-friendly activities-with a packed lineup that includes Midsommarfest, Ribfest Chicago, Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest, Printers Row Lit Fest and the 57th Street Art Fair. From Andersonville to Hyde Park, get ready to hit the streets in search of food, dancing and making eyes at that cute dude or lady near the beer tent.
kbernot@tribune.com @redeyeeatdrink
#GetFested
All summer long, we're asking you to show us your best fest photos with the hashtag #GetFested. Last week, we challenged you to show us what you were eating and drinking on the asphalt. Our favorite photo? This classic Maifest brat-and-beer combo from @luciehmacias. And while it didn't quite fit our theme, we'd also like to give a shout-out to the hilarious pig-in-a-stroller-at-Do-Division photo from @gesska. This week, show us your favorite fest outfit-yours or someone else's-and make sure to use the hashtag #GetFested.
Where: 5200 N. Clark St.
When: 5-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
How much: $5 suggested donation for Friday; $10 suggested donation for Saturday and Sunday
Don't miss: Back for a 49th year, this LGBT-friendly summer fest combines five stages of music with food, vendors and a traditional Swedish dance around the maypole. Bands slated to perform this year include The Diplomats of Solid Sound (5 p.m. Sunday), 16 Candles (7 p.m. Friday and Sunday) and Get Up With The Get Downs (8 p.m. Saturday).
Where: 4000 N. Lincoln Ave.
When: 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
How much: $5 suggested donation
Don't miss: Bring your appetite-Ribfest Chicago will serve up more than 50,000 pounds of pork from vendors including Chicago BBQ Company, Q-BBQ Lakeview, The Smoke Daddy and others. Watch competitive eaters battle for a $4,000 prize during RibMania V (6 p.m. Friday)-or just snack on the offerings yourself ($6 for two-bone sampler; $11 for a half-slab; $20 for a full slab). Want to go all out? Purchase a $99 VIP ticket, which gets you $50 in food tickets, a commemorative shirt and hat and skip-the-line privileges at the beer tents: ribfest-chicago.com
Where: 3200 N. Sheffield Ave.
When: Noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
How much: $5 suggested donation
Don't miss: Tribute bands are the name of the game at this Lakeview staple celebrating its 30th summer. Listen up for Wedding Banned (6 p.m. Saturday), 16 Candles (8 p.m. Saturday), Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press (3:40 p.m. Sunday), Trippin Billies (8 p.m. Sunday) and others.
Where: 57th Street between Kenwood and Woodlawn avenues
When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
How much: Free to attend
Don't miss: Shop and meet more than 250 artists from across the country at this longrunning Hyde Park fest, which also features jazz and blues music programmed by Buddy Guy's Legends.
Where: Various locations on or around Dearborn Street between Congress and Polk streets
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
How much: Free admission to festival and outdoors events; $1 reservation fee for ticketed indoor events (Reserve online: printersrowlitfest.org)
Don't miss: Produced by Chicago Tribune, this annual celebration of books and literature isn't just for nerds. RedEye will have its own stage this year, where you can catch a live taping of Lenny Gilmore and Jessica Galliart's "Mistakes We Made" podcast (1 p.m. Saturday), try your hand at an adult spelling bee (5 p.m. Saturday) or laugh along with The Kates comedy show (noon Sunday). Of course, there are plenty of readings, workshops and cooking demos outside of the RedEye stage, plus food for purchase from Jerk Modern Jamaican Grill and Chubby Wieners food trucks. See our guide here.
Want more? See our full summer fest calendar at redeyechicago.com/fests.