June 11, 2009

Get out there and play

Bring your appetite this weekend for your family’s fill of ribs at this year’s Rib Fest. The street festival, which originally started as a block party, now averages 65,000 pounds of ribs yearly. But with 25 bands—including Indie, Rock and Alt Country—and a Kids Square, this celebration is more than just ribs.

Kids can burn off plenty of rib-induced energy in the Kids Square, where they can climb inflatables, take in a game of mini-golf and do plenty of arts and crafts. Musical entertainment and demonstrations from the Brookfield Zoo and The Museum of Science and Industry give kids an opportunity to dance, sing and even learn something new. A full list of Kids Square activities and musical entertainment can be found on the Web site.

Rib Fest is held from 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Northcenter neighborhood at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue, Damen Avenue and Irving Park in Chicago. Admission is a suggested $5 donation, food and some activities extra. For more information, call (847) 677-8273 or visit ribfest-chicago.com.

Photo courtesy of Leigh Hanlon.

Get your tickets here

Throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game might not be on this summer’s to-do list, but it could be. One lucky Chicago Parent reader will have the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at the 5:05 p.m. Sunday, July 12, Joliet Jackhammers game vs. the Schaumburg Flyers. The winner will also receive a family 10-pack to the game. Make sure you can make the game before registering to win. For more information, visit jackhammerbaseball.com. To win, visit our discussion board.

Get out there and play some more

Keep your family busy throughout the summer at the Family Fun Festival in Millennium Park’s Chase Promenade North. This week kicks off a summer of play through Sept. 4.

Look for performances and hands-on activities including daily interactive Wiggleworms performances from the Old Town School of Folk Music, reading circles, craft projects and garden, science and environmental programs with local museums. Visit the Web site for a full listing of Family Fun Festival activities.

Millennium Park is located at 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. Family Fun Festival is free and open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. For more information, call (312) 742-1168 or visit millenniumpark.org.

Sweet prize

This week, five lucky Chicago Parent readers will win Screature, a high-tech dinosaur from Mattel. Screature chomps its jaws and sprays water from its mouth. This product is intended for kids 4 and up and retails for $34.99. To win, visit our discussion board.

Insider's tip

Take in the city this summer without breaking the bank with the help of the Chicago Summer ValuePass. The ValuePass allows your family to visit the John Hancock Observatory for a Sun& Stars admission, a 48-hour ticket for two visits; take a ride on the Hop On/Hop Off Chicago Trolley; enjoy a half-hour tour during Shoreline Sightseeing’s Skyline Lake Tour; visit the Adler Planetarium and visit the Navy Pier IMAX before 2:30 p.m. The ValuePass also includes more than $200 of additional discounted experiences and services from businesses, including American Girl Place, Hershey’s Chicago Shop and Legoland.

The Chicago Summer ValuePass is $65, $49 kids 11 and under and is valid through the summer. For more information or to buy the ValuePass, visit hancockobservatory.com or stop by any participating attraction.

Piece of the prize

If your family is planning to take a road trip this summer, it’s more than likely your kids will need something to do. Chicago Parent has teamed up with eeBoo for a road trip prize pack to help keep the little ones busy. The prize pack includes Travel Bingo, the Travel Matching Game“I Never Forget a Face,” one of three notebooks (Travel, Nature and Summer Days), a Life on Earth Lacing Card and a Peaceful Stationery Set. This prize pack is valued at $75. For more information, visit eeBoo.com. To win, visit our discussion board.