New activities planned at Six Corners BBQ festival
by BRIAN NADIG
A roller rink and a giant-sized Jenga game are some of the new activities planned for the 7th annual Six Corners BBQ Fest held June 10 and 11 on Milwaukee Avenue between Irving Park Road and Belle Plaine Avenue.
BBQ Fest is usually held on Father’s Day weekend, but this year’s event is being held a week earlier.
The rink will be located in the parking lot of a former dollar store at Milwaukee and Cuyler avenues, with free skate rental. In addition, when all the pieces are stacked, the top Jenga piece will be about 4 feet from the ground, according to festival manager Amie Zander.
Several carnival and yard games, including ring toss and bean bags, also will be offered.
Headlining the festival’s musical lineup on Saturday night will be the Blind Staggers, known for its "rockabilly" sound, Zander said. Earlier bands performing will be Wax Works, Mike Wheeler and Lurrie Bell.
On Sunday night the main stage will feature pop alternative band Antony and the Tramps. The other performers will be Handsome Dave and the Ravens, Junkyard Groove, Six String Crossing and Manny Torres.
The festival’s food vendors will include Harold’s Food Truck and Fannie’s Cafe and Bakery. There also are plans for a display of decorative chairs which local artists are creating and hoping to have installed throughout the neighborhood.
The festival will run from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday. The cost is $5 and benefits the association, which promotes the Six Corners business district and sponsors community events.
The association also is planning to hold its first-ever "County Fair Chicago" on Sept. 9 and 10.
That September weekend will be a busy time for Northwest Side fest-goers, with the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce’s "Throwback Music Festival" at Milwaukee and Elston avenues and the "Chicago Fringe Festival" at various locations in the Jefferson Park business district.
