Memorial Day weekend kicks off the official start of summer 2011 in Chicago. In addition to the city's annual Memorial Day parade, the weekend has many fun-filled events, including free admission to the National Vietnam Veterans Museum. Tip: The "Angel in the Desert," sculpture of a dying Iraqi waving his hands in the sand, by Persian Gulf War veteran, Marcus Eriksen, will be unveiled at the museum on Memorial Day, May 30. Read on for more things to do this Memorial Day weekend.
1. Chicago Craft Beer Week
Toast the Memorial Day weekend with a beer at the closing ceremonies on Friday, May 27, for the Chicago Craft Beer Week. On tap are rare beer offerings from Chicago breweries. Cost is $40.00. 8:00p.m. to 11:00p.m.
2. Chicago's Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony
Chicago's Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 28 with the Wreath Laying Ceremony will beginning at 11 a.m. at the Eternal Flame on Daley Plaza in Chicago (Dearborn and Washington Streets) followed by the parade at noon at Lake Street and State Street and will proceed south on State Street. This year’s Grand Marshal will be General Raymond T. Odierno, United States Army, Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command. During the parade, Odierno will swear in new recruits representing many branches of service.3. Belmont and Sheffield Music Festival
The 27th annual Belmont-Sheffield Music begins at noon Saturday, May 28, with national and local bands, as well as food and art vendors. The festival's band lineup includes Too White Crew on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Hairbanger's Ball at 6 p.m. on Sunday. The festival takes place at N. Sheffield between Belmont and School and goes through Sunday evening. Gate donation of $5 benefits the Central Lakeview Merchants Association.4. Fireworks at Navy Pier
Consider by many to the "official" start to summer, the fireworks at Navy Pier will launch Saturday, May 28, at 10:15 p.m. Fireworks will continue most Wednesday and Saturday evenings through Labor Day.
5. Bike the Drive 2011
Bike the Drive 2011 will be Sunday, May 29, kicking off at 5:30 a.m. onColumbus Drive. The ride offers bikers a chance to ride along Lake Shore Drive with no cars. Bike the Drive will be held rain or shine. In addition to the ride, there is a post ride festival at Grant Park's Butler Field with live entertainment, giveaways, and $7 breakfast options from Goose Island Brew Pub. Cost is $45 for participants who are not members of the Active Transportation Alliance; $40 for Active Transportation Alliance members; $15 for 17 and under. Cost for day-of registration is $55.6. Kohler Festival of Beer
If you didn't get enough at this week's Chicago Craft Beer Week, then you are in luck. On Friday, May 27, the Festival of Beer in Kohler, Wisconsin, about two hours from Chicago, kicks off with a Wisconsin Beer-Battered Fish Fry followed by a ceremonial tapping of the kegs featuring unreleased and limited Wisconsin and American beers, live entertainment from Copper Box, and food. The festival continues through Sunday with many special events including Beers Around the World with samplings of beers from around the world of course and the inaugural release of Jigger Ale in the U.S., as well as a Classic Beer and Cheese Pairings class, a Cooking with Beer class, Blues, Brews & BBQ, and more. Tip: After a long day on your feet tasting beer, try a Suds in Tubs Pedicure at the festival that includes a hops flowers poultice, Amber Waves bath fizzy, signature lime sea salts, and lime leaf body butter served with a petite glass of a Wisconsin seasonal beer.7. Free admission to the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum
On Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day), the museum will be offering free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as the unveiling of the Plus "Angel in the Desert," sculpture of a dying Iraqi waving his hands in the sand, created by Persian Gulf War veteran, Marcus Eriksen. The Black Hawk Performance Company and the Been Na Un Den Nah Drum Group and will also perform with a drumming and dance performance. Also, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Jon Turner will give an artist talk about "Prayer Boots" and Turner and other members of the Warrior Writers, a creative writing project of veterans of the Global War on Terror, will read poetry and other pieces related to their combat experiences.
