There are a bunch of fun things to do this weekend in Chicago, from a dog-friendly run/walk to street fests, plus plenty of beverages to enjoy at Friday Night Flights, Hyde Park Brew Fest, Do Division, Lincoln Park Greek Fest and more.
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Friday Night Flights Kickoff Party
Get ready for another Summer of Suds, as Friday Night Flights — a showcase for Chicago’s craft beer scene — begins this week with its Friday Night Flights Kickoff Party. Instead of focusing on just a couple of spots, 32 breweries from throughout the city will be pouring up during the evening, and Big Star and Smoke Daddy will be handling the eats. Since the event is at Gallagher Way, the area just outside Wrigley Field, the Cubs-Cardinals game for that night will show on the big screen as well. 6-9 p.m. Friday, Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St., $20-$25; cfnf.chicagoconcierge.com
PAWS Chicago 5K Run/Walk
Hang out with some good boys while supporting a good cause this weekend at the PAWS Chicago 5K Run/Walk, which supports the shelter and its animals. Entrants get a T-shirt with their admission, and each person may bring one dog. Food, drink and vendors will also be on hand. 7:30 a.m.-noon Sunday, Montrose Harbor, 601 W. Montrose Ave., $60; my.pawschicago.org
Hyde Park Brew Fest
Peruse vendors of art, food and brews at the Hyde Park Brew Fest. Admission is free, but tickets are required for tastings. All ticket packages include a souvenir glass. Noon-9 p.m.Saturday and Sunday, 53rd and Harper, free admission, $25 for 10 tickets, $40 for 20; eventbrite.com
Do Division Street Fest
What to do with good weather this weekend? Do Division Street’s largest street festival, Do Division Street Fest, of course! The three-day party features food, drinks, fun and the best music lineup of any summer street festival. 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Do Division Street Fest, 2000 W. Division St., $10; do-divisionstreetfest.com
Backyard BBQ series
Sportsman’s Club’s Backyard BBQ series is an annual favorite for food lovers in the city, especially those of us who love to sit outside, have something to drink and enjoy some smoked and grilled foods. Each week features a different local spot teaming up with Sportsman’s for a custom barbecue menu. This weekend’s guest grill master offers an intriguing twist on backyard bites, as southern Italian spot Coda di Volpe will be in charge. Each ticket includes food and one beverage. 3 p.m. doors, 4 p.m. food served, 948 N. Western Ave., $20; drinkingandgathering.com
Chicago Gospel Music Festival
Head downtown this weekend and put your hands in the air for the 34th annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival, which features many gospel performers, plus adjacent genres and other culturally black music, as well as a celebration of Black Music Month. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., free; chicago.gov
Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE)
Check out comics for sale, workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions and more this weekend at Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE), which, in the true spirit of comics, celebrates independent and alternative artists and creatives in comics. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted Ave., free; cakechicago.com
Aon Summer Fireworks
Navy Pier’s seasonal fireworks have already started lighting up Saturday night skies this summer, and you can catch another batch of the Aon Summer Fireworks this weekend. 10:15-10:25 p.m. Saturday, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., free; navypier.org
Grand opening of The Plantier
The Plantier, a new nursery and gardening store in West Town, will open this weekend, and it’s hosting a special event with sales and rare plants for you to green up your life. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, The Plantier, 858 N. Ashland Ave., free; facebook.com/events
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57th Street Art Fair
One of Chicago’s longest-running art fairs is the 57th Street Art Fair, which will celebrate its 72nd year this weekend with more than 200 exhibitors. 11 a.m.-6 p.m Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, 57th Street between Kenwood and Woodlawn Avenues, Kimbark Avenue between 56th and 57th Streets, free; 57thstreetartfair.org
Lincoln Park Greek Fest
Greek culture takes to the streets of Lincoln Park this weekend for the neighborhood’s Greek Fest, which celebrates that culture with food, drink, music, dancing and “filoxenia.” 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday, Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 2701 N. Sheffield Ave., free (donations accepted); lincolnparkgreekfest.com
‘About Face: Stonewall, Revolt and New Queer Art’
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, activist, historian and writer Jonathan David Katz, Ph.D., curated “About Face: Stonewall, Revolt and New Queer Art,” a new “state-of-the-field survey of queer art” exhibition. Daily through July 20, Wrightwood 659, 659 W. Wrightwood Ave., $20; tickets.wrightwood659.org
Twitter: @lucheezy