Best of the fests

Thursday 23
Newberry Library Book Fair and Bughouse Square Debates
Let’s start with a little history lesson: From the 1900s up to the 1930s, the square in front of the Newberry Library was an active area for many radicals, socialists and communists. “They’d come to the park, stand on their soapboxes and give speeches and debates,” says Newberry Library communications director Heather Malec. A century later, you can re-create the bohemian rabble-rousing scenes by heckling debaters who are tackling a range of subjects. Topics range from Chicago’s parking-meter lease to religious repression in Burma. Before you hit the soapbox, sift through 110,000 cheap, used reads at the book fair; hopefully one of them helps you bone up for the debates.
Washington Square Park, 901 N Clark St (newberry.org). Thu 23, Fri 24 noon–8pm; Sat 25, Sun 26 10am–6pm; debate Sat 25, noon–4pm.

Saturday 25
Venetian Night
Since 1958, lucky yacht owners have been pimping-out their boats and casting off on a boat parade modeled after those of Venice. Back in the day, Venetian Night onlookers were also regaled by a beauty pageant. In recent years, modern entertainment has reigned (let’s face it, Trump ruined the beauty pageant): Watch motocross superstar Ronnie Renner set up on the lakefront and attempt to break his own record—last summer’s 59' 2"—for highest motocross jump. Another activity landlubbers can enjoy: fireworks synchronized to famous movie theme songs.
Lake Michigan between Roosevelt Rd and Monroe St (explorechicago.org). Boat parade takes place at 7:45pm, followed by fireworks. Ronnie Reiner wheels out to Butler Field (S Columbus Dr between Monroe and Van Buren Drs) at 6pm.

Taste of Lincoln Avenue
“Taste” is a bit of a misnomer here. Most people drop by the fest for outdoor, booze-filled evenings, which include sets by Sugar Ray and Tonic on the Fullerton Main Stage and Bobby Rush on the Blues Stage. Also big in the familycentric North Side fest: the Kids’ Carnival’s games, clowns and a summertime classic—inflatable-jumpy-things. “It’s a big aspect of the event,” says festival promoter Fred Newton. “It appeals to the soccer moms in the ’hood—and there are many.” Warning: Keep sugar away from the corner of Halsted and Altgeld!
Lincoln Ave between Wrightwood and Fullerton Aves (wrightwoodneighbors.com). Noon–10pm, $7.

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SCORE KILLER PARADE VIEWS!
Venetian Night’s boat parade is only 45 minutes long, and covers less than a mile of lakefront, yet it attracts a whopping 750,000 spectators. Smart math says your odds of securing a good vista—about 20 boats, brightly festooned for this year’s “Hollywood on the Lake” theme—are slim. But Scott Baumgartner, rear commodore of Chicago Yacht Club, which organizes the event, says success is as much a question of when as where: Carve out your territory by early morning, preferably in the area across from Buckingham Fountain known as Queen’s Landing (Lake Shore Dr between Jackson and Balbo Drs) for the best views. The parade sails from the Shedd Aquarium (1200 S Lake Shore Dr) toward Monroe Harbor (Lake Shore Dr at Randolph St) followed by a fireworks finale. Best way to see that last part? Um...just look up. —Martina Sheehan

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