Get out there and play
Take your family out to the Poplar Grove Airport for some high-flying, old-fashioned fun. This weekend, the airport, located at 11619 Route 76, hosts World War II-era aircraft and military vehicles during the Army Wings and Wheels Air Show.
Your kids can go back in time while they visit the camp displays with WWII-era re-enactors, flight competitions and aircraft, vehicle and equipment demonstrations. WWII veterans will be on hand to share their experiences during the war. The event is dedicated to the service men and women who built, flew and serviced the aircraft and equipment.
Army Wings and Wheels Air Show is from 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. A pancake breakfast is available for an additional cost at 6:30 a.m. both days and lunch will be available for an additional cost. Admission is , seniors and kids 12 and under. WWII veterans are free. For more information, call (815) 547-3115 or visit armywingsandwheels.com.
Sweet prize
School is almost out for the summer, which means you’re going to have more artwork than you know what to do with. This week, one lucky Chicago Parent reader will know just what to do with their junior Picasso’s masterpieces when they win a PhotoBook from MyPublisher, a value. The prize also comes with free shipping. For more information, visit mypublisher.com. To win, visit our discussion board.
Get out there and play some more
Give your kids chalk and head to Oz Park, 2021 N. Burling St., Chicago, Saturday for Chalk Festival 2009. Professional and amateur artists will create temporary works of art to raise money for the Art Therapy Connection’s mental health program benefiting at-risk youth.
The festival revives a 16th-century Italian tradition where artists would gather for street painting during religious and local festivals. But this festival isn’t just for the pros, kids can get in on the fun on Children’s Avenue, where for , they can decorate their own square. Children’s Avenue also hosts games, activities, music and performances from the Jesse White Tumblers.
Admission is free. Professional and amateur squares range from -,000. Children’s Avenue squares are . For more information, visit arttherapyconnection.org.
Get your tickets here
Hit the Chicago waterways for a sightseeing cruise with Mercury Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline. Four lucky Chicago Parent readers will win a family four-pack for two adults and two children to their choice of Mercury cruises this season. For more information, visit mercuryskylinecruiseline.com. To win, visit our discussion board.
Outside fun
Bring out your book worms and visit the Printers Row Lit Fest from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for an outdoor festival filled with cooking demos, poetry readings, visits with authors, a kids’ area and plenty of books.
Hear your favorite authors discuss their works or listen to panels with experts on an array of topics including sports, politics, children’s storytelling and science. Panels and events are held on seven stages. Speeches held at the Harold Washington Library require tickets and some have sold out. You might want to check with your favorites 15 minutes before the event to see if they have any extra tickets from folks who didn’t show up.
Kids can get an up-close look at scaly creatures at the Live Lizards! event in the Kids Corner or listen to live performances from Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players. Kids also have a chance to listen to authors read their favorite books.
The Printers Row Lit Fest is located in Printers Row in the blocks surrounding Dearborn and Polk streets in Chicago from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. Visit the Web site for a full schedule of events. For more information, visit printersrowlitfest.org.
Insider’s tip
The Chicago Office of Tourism is offering Chicagoans a“staycation” through its Chicago Greeter program, which offers visitors a chance to see downtown Chicago via an hour-long walking tour. The free visitor service is generally offered to non-Chicago visitors, but from June 1-30, Chicago residents can exclusively use the Chicago Greeter service as well as the new Hyde Park InstaGreeter program, which offers one-hour tours from the Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago. Chicago Greeter programs meet at the Chicago Cultural Center Visitor Information Center, 77 E. Randolph St., Chicago. For more information, visit ExploreChicago.org.
Piece of the prize
This week, one lucky Chicago Parent reader will win the Ultra Stomp Rocket from Hearthsong. The Ultra Stomp, which retails for .98, comes with an easy-to-assemble stand, a launch pad with air hose and four soft-foam-tipped rockets. This product is intended for kids 8 and up. For more information, visit hearthsong.com. To win, visit our discussion board.
