Looking for something to do outside?
How about an art fair, free picnic games, National Hot Dog Day, a heavy metal festival or some Caribbean beach fun?
*Orland Park Fine Art Fair, Orland Park Crossing parking lot, 142nd Street and LaGrange Road, Orland Park; 708-349-2972; www.orlandparkchamber.org or www.orland-park.il.us.
Some 40 artists from the Midwest will participate in the fifth annual fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Attendees can paint piggy banks and water barrels designed by Art a la Carte. Concessions will be available to buy from the Brass Tap, Granite City Restaurant & Brewery, Papa Joe’s, Nothing Bundt Bakes, P.F. Chang’s and Cafe Gaston. Admission is free.
*Picnic in the Park, Apollo Park, 12521 S. Kostner Ave., Alsip; 708-389-1003; www.alsipparks.org.
More Top Picks Skincare Fridge
Take a cue from Sam Cooke and enjoy some of the best things in life that are free at the Alsip Park District’s party from 6 to 8 p.m. July 20. There will be an egg toss, potato sack races, bean bag toss, Wiffle ball and inflatables. Registration is not required.
*National Hot Dog Day, Village Green, 8999 W. 123rd St., Palos Park; 708-671-3700; www.palospark.org.
Celebrate wieners at 5 p.m. July 21 with music by David Gaidas and Mitch Mayer, hot dog meals and a pet parade, with awards for best dressed, owner and pet look-a-like, most unusual, largest and smallest. Picnic tables and chairs are provided at Village Green while guests also are welcome to bring lawn chairs.
*Chicago Open Air, Toyota Park, 7000 Harlem Ave., Bridgeview; 708-594-7200; www.chicagoopenair.com.
Disturbed, Rammstein and Slipknot will headline the new heavy metal festival, which also features 40 more bands on two stages, craft beer and food trucks. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $69.50.
*Caribbean Block Party, along Oak Park Avenue, from Hickory to 171st streets, Tinley Park; www.tinleypark.org
A sand sculpting demonstration, bean bags tournament and rides are among the activities at the free event, which runs from 12 to 7 p.m. Sunday,. There also will be food vendors and a classic car show. Live music on two stages will feature Dick Diamond and the Dusters, South of Disorder, The Associates and Gone 2 Paradise. Free trolley rides to the site from the 80th Avenue train station.
Vickie Jurkowski is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.