This weekend is the Kentucky Derby and you can join in the horse racing fun right here in Chicago with the celebration of the Derby Days Street Festival. Head on over to Joe’s Bar on Weed Street which will be shut down and you can watch the race on a jumbotron while sipping on mint juleps.
But the biggest derby party tomorrow will be held at the Arlington Park Race Course that opens today with free general admission. Tomorrow it will be featuring special entry-and-food packages, fashion contests and giveaways for Derby Day.
The Polish Constitution Day Parade kicks off tomorrow at the corner of Columbus and Balbo. The parade honors the Polish Constitution signed in 1791 and draws thousands to Grant Park every year.
The Cinco de Mayo Festival is this weekend to mark May 5th in the Hispanic community. This annual free event will be held in the Little Village neighborhood at 26th and Kostner. The whole family can dance to live music, munch on authentic cuisine and enjoy arts and crafts. The Cinco de Mayo parade is at noon Sunday along Cermak near the Pilsen neighborhood.
Your family might also want to check out the Chicago Kids and Kite Festival tomorrow. This annual spring tradition returns to Cricket Hill near Lake Shore Drive and Montrose. Children will be able to buy kite kits that they can build, decorate and fly. There will also be professional kite flying demonstrations and tips on how to fly a kite.
Although it may not seem like spring yet, the 27th annual Spring Brunch & Fashion Show at the Harold Washington Library will be held Sunday afternoon. It brings together local boutiques and student fashion designers from Columbia College for a runway show, a three-course brunch and a flower market. Proceeds benefit the Chicago House, which helps those affected by AIDS.
Aretha Franklin will be at the Chicago Theater tomorrow night at 8 o’clock.
Evanston native and Northwestern alum Seth Meyers will be performing at the Wish Ball tomorrow evening at Soldier Field. The new late night talk show host headlines this annual black tie gala that helps to support the Make-A-Wish mission of enriching the lives of hundreds of wish children each year.
Finally, you can take a look at some pretty neat kitchens in Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth and Glencoe this weekend on a self guided Designer Kitchens of the North Shore Tour. Designers will be on hand to speak about the designs. Tickets are $50 and proceeds benefit the Junior League of Evanston- North Shore’s local programs.
