Greetings from Chicago.com!

Ready to ditch your day-to-day routine? Looking for a fun escape that doesn’t break the budget? August is the perfect month to explore Chicago with family, friends or on your own. Whether you are taking a vacation or planning a stay-cation, I can help you rediscover lots of FREE events in the city.

Diving And Flying

Do you feel the need…the need for speed? One of the best FREE events is the Air and Water show on August 15-16. With over 2 million spectators, the show can be viewed all along the city’s skyline. Head to North Avenue Beach for the best spot or watch it from a friend’s balcony. You can always book a hotel too! Be eco-friendly and take pubic transportation. This summer tradition features aviation's top military and civilian pilots. Additional thrills include water-skiing and jet-ski acrobatics. Cute bathing suits not included.
Things to do in Chicago »

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Dancing With The Pros

Before my husband and I got hitched, we needed some serious dancing lessons. After all, 200 people were going to watch our first slow dance. Luckily, we don’t need to be the center of attention anymore. We can just lean back and watch the professionals shimmy at the Chicago Dancing Festival. World-renowned choreographers such as Jerome Robbins, Lar Lubovitch, Alvin Ailey, William Forsythe and others will perform Tuesday, August 18 to Saturday, August 22. Performance times and locations vary daily, but some of the venues include the Harris Theater for Music & Dance, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and Millennium Park. All dance performances are FREE to the public.
Chicago Dancing Festival Website »

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Boogieing All Night

You know I love a good festival, especially when there’s live music, food, and arts & crafts. Lincoln Park Arts & Music Festival is a new event hosted on Saturday & Sunday, August 8& 9 (on Racine between Fullerton & Webster). Your 5 buck donation benefits the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce. Come Saturday from Noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 9:00 p.m
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Biking With the Best

Couldn’t make it to Europe for the Tour de France this summer? Grab a croissant and head to Downtown Downers Grove on August 15-16 for the 23rd annual National Championships of Cycling. You and 30,000 other spectators will cheer for some of the world's top professional and amateur athletes. Don’t miss the biggest event: The USA Cycling Professional Criterium Championship. This event is FREE to the public.
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Eating It Up

Tofu skewers may taste de-lish but so do ribs. Lots of ‘em. Enjoy the Windy City Ribs Fest Friday to Sunday, August 14-16 at Union Park (1501 W. Randolph St.). Cowboy Mouth will headline this inaugural 3-day event. Live closer to Wood Dale, IL? Try their festival the same weekend, a 3-day summer send off with food, entertainment and much more. Luckily, the fun continues later on in the month right near Wrigley Field. Stop by Lake View Music Fest on Saturday& Sunday, August 22 & 23. The fest features two days of live music, food and arts & crafts from noon-10:00 p.m.
Windy City Ribs Fest »  |  Wood Dale Festival »

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Paloozing With Pals

Speaking of music, The Killers, Jane’s Addiction, Depeche Mode, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and more will perform at Lollapalooza on August 7-9. Picture spinning DJs, a Biergarten, Play Station Central, and more. Plus, you can rock out with the entire family since members of Paul Green's School of Rock All Stars will be on site for workshops to assist kiddies in handling different types of instruments.
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Kidding Around

I just saw a 4-year-old cruising on a mini-motorized Escalade around the neighborhood. Seriously. It didn’t even have pedals. Remember the days of tug-of-war, egg relays, and potato sack races? Now here’s your chance to relive your childhood. Adult teams comprised of six members compete in games for YG Games: A Field Day for Grown-ups. This event will be held on Saturday, August 29 in Lincoln Park Grove 9 (Diversey & Sheridan). Proceeds help the Youth Guidance Metro Board, a social service agency dedicated to helping at-risk children stay in school.
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Walking For A Purpose

Whip on your work out gear and support a good cause: the Lymphoma Research Foundation's cancer research and educational programs. The 5K walk takes place on Sunday, August 23 at the Montrose Harbor (4400 N. Lake Shore Drive) and starts at 10:00 a.m.
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Making Music

Thanks for another incredible festival. If you hadn’t already heard, Rothbury Music Festival once again commenced over the 4th of July weekend at the Double JJ Ranch. The headliners included The Dead, Bob Dylan and his Band, and The String Cheese Incident (SCI). But the excitement did not stop there… click here to read on.”

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