5 new suburban events and exhibits coming this summer
Summer is a great time for outdoor traditions — whether it's taking in a concert at the park or hitting a neighborhood carnival. And you can find detailed listings for those in our special Summer Fun guide today.
But the season also offers the perfect chance to try something new.
Here are five new suburban events to check out this summer:
1. Chicago Dogs
The suburbs have a new baseball team — and the name pays tribute to a beloved Chicago food. Jersey numbers for players on the Rosemont-based Chicago Dogs will be shaped like hot dogs and the team logo features a baseball just behind the bun. The Dogs play their first home games at Impact Field this weekend, setting the scene for a full season as part of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. Single-game tickets start at $9. Get ticket information and more at thechicagodogs.com.
2. Bloody Mary fest in Fox Lake
You'll find dozens of wine and beer fests scattered over the summer months, but new this year is Fox Lake's Bloody Mary Fest. The event, for those 21 and older, will run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 15, on Grand Avenue. For $25, attendees will receive six sample tickets, three voting tickets for favorites and a souvenir Mason jar. The fest also features food for sale and music. For details, see foxlakebloodymaryfest.org.
3. 'SHREW'D'
Shakespeare under the stars is old hat at Oak Brook's First Folio Theatre. But new this year is the musical “SHREW'D: Shakespeare's Bawdiest Comedy … with a Modern Twist.” The world premiere, adapted by David Rice from the Bard's “Taming of the Shrew,” moves the time and place to 1930s Chicago. And fitting for the times, Kate is Petruchio's equal. The show runs outdoors at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook from July 11 through Aug. 19. Tickets are $25 to $44, with $10 children's tickets available. See firstfolio.org.
4. 'Amazing Arachnids'
Families head to Brookfield Zoo for a chance to see the bears and big cats. This summer, they'll be joined by much smaller critters — more than 100 arachnids, from the tiger rump tarantula to the tailless whip scorpion. The hands-on temporary exhibit “Amazing Arachnids” celebrates these eight-legged creatures with an art-themed area, as well as spaces devoted to science and culture. It runs through Sept. 3 and costs $5 for adults and $3 for children on top of the general zoo admission. Read more in today's Time out! For information, check out czs.org.
5. Inaugural U.S. Senior Women's Open Championship
The competition and prize purse are geared to women golfers 50 and older, but suburbanites can enjoy the action on and off the course. The championship, which runs July 12 to 15, will be at Wheaton's Chicago Golf Club. Tickets will be available at usga.org, but that's not the only way to celebrate the event. Giant decorated golf balls will be on display across Wheaton from May 31 to Aug. 31. And the Wheaton Public Library will host a “Wheaton — the Summer of Golf” exhibit from June 1 to July 15. In addition, there will be golf history trolley tours July 1 and 8, as well as other activities. For details, go to wheaton.il.us.