If you have time this weekend, one thing worth doing is a visit to Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL, about 45 minutes west of Chicago, for their annual Lilac Festival.

Hundreds of blooming lilac trees means one thing - a fragrance you can smell miles a away.

The park also includes blooming tulips, benches to sit on, a gift shop and restrooms.

Tomorrow, Lombard will crown the Lilac Queen during their Lilac Parade at the park.

Lilacia Park is located at 150 S. Park Avenue, Lombard, IL.

More about Lilacia Park: "Lilacia Park, once home to Colonel William R. Plum's lilac garden, is now a park with poetic appeal. The park was bequeathed on the passing of Colonel Plum in 1927. In 1929 the park was landscaped by Jens Jensen of the Chicago Park District. Originally designed as the Plum Memorial Park, the name was changed to Lilacia Park. Since 1929 Lilacia Park has been a source of pleasure for Lombardians and visitors from all over the world."

Also read: Visiting the Chicago Botanic Garden l Touring Chicago's Old Town Neighborhood l May 2013 Events in Chicago

(Photo credit: Lisa Davis, www.lisadavismedia.com)

Chicago's beauty shoppers will be happy to know about ULTA Beauty's new store on Halsted (16 Halsted Street, between Madison and Monroe). The store officially opened this week, and this weekend (Friday, May 17, through Sunday, May 19) is hosting several events, including:

• Gift Certificates - The first 100 guests to visit the store each day, Friday through Sunday, will receive free gift certificates ranging from $5 to $100 or a free salon service. (Yes, ULTA Beauty has on-site salon.)
• Four Free Gifts - This week, and through the weekend, the first 1,000 guests to visit the store and sign up for ULTA Beauty's loyalty club will receive a gift bag with four free products.
• Free Makeovers and Consultations - Enjoy a consultation and makeover from guest experts and stylists from ULTA Beauty's salon.

About ULTA Beauty's Salon: ULTA Beauty's full-service salon and skin care services are with licensed stylists and skin therapists, with services ranging from haircuts and color to brow design and specialty facials.

More about ULTA Beauty on Halsted: ULTA Beauty, located at The Gateway Center, 16 S. Halsted Street, will be open Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. To make a salon appointment the store phone number is 312-243-0411. Salon walk-ins are also welcome. Free two-hour parking for ULTA Beauty customers is available in the garage behind the store, off of Monroe.

Also read: Taking Public Transportation in Chicago l Taste of Chicago 2013 l Guide to Visiting the Chicago Botanic Garden

Spring has definitely sprung at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The garden's spring blooms include vivid displays of tulips (see photo), as well as over a million other flowering bulbs like magnolias, pink cherry trees, cheery yellow forsythias and Cornelian cherry dogwoods.

The tulips are located in the Crescent Garden and are blooming among crabapples. Also be on the lookout for bright patches of  eye-catching annuals such as pansies, pot marigolds and Persian buttercups.

The Botanic Garden's McDonald Woods are carpeted with delicate wildflowers including trout lilies, trilliums and bloodroot.

Read our Guide to the Chicago Botanic Garden to help plan your next trip.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 and is open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to sunset, which this time of year is about 8 p.m.

Also read: May 2013 Events in Chicago l Visting Chicago's Shedd Aquarium l Chicago's Best Pet Boutiques

Photo credit: Lisa Davis (www.lisadavismedia.com)

Here's a charity even to keep on your radar this week.

The Special Olympics Chicago's food event called Sip & Savor will take place on May 9 (6-9 pm) at 1420 S. Michigan Avenue and will feature five local chefs, including Jason Vincent of Nightwood who was just named Chicago's 2013 Food & Wine Best New Chef.

This annual fundraising event, hosted by the Associate Board of the Special Olympics Chicago, will include:

• Food, drink and dessert pairings from Chicago's top chefs like Ryan Poli of Little Market Brasserie, Michael & Patrick Sheerin of Trencherman, Chris Pandel of Balena, Robert Hoffman of City Tavern and Jason Vincent of Nightwood.
• A silent auction.
• Gift bags for each guest.

Proceeds from Sip & Savor will benefit the Special Olympics Chicago, including programming and activities for more than 5,000 Special Olympics Chicago athletes throughout the year.

Sip & Savor's cost: $55 in advance; $65 at the door. Tickets are available by visiting Eventbrite.com.

Also read: Taste of Chicago 2013 l Chicago's Memorial Day Parade 2013 l Nutrition and Wellness Tips for 2013 l