2013 Midsommarfest Photos - All In One Place!

This week I went through probably 1500 photographs from Midsommarfest weekend, and picked out some of my favorites to put in albums on Facebook.  Links to the five albums I created are below (you don't need to be on Facebook to view them), so please share with your friends and tag anyone you know!

2013 MIDSOMMARFEST PHOTOS

FRIDAY NIGHT

SATURDAY MORNING (Opening Ceremony & Maypole Dance)

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

DOGS! DOGS! DOGS!

A huge thanks to Starbelly Studios Photography for all of these great shots.  If you need a photographer for an event, seriously, check him out.  He is in the neighborhood, great to work with, and takes photography very, VERY seriously!

Andersonville's Third Thursdays - starting June 20th!

Don't be sad that the Farmer's Market isn't back for another week!  Thursday night is also a fun night to hang out in Andersonville, and this week it is going to be even better.

This Thursday, June 20th from 5:00-8:00 pm, join over 30 Andersonville businesses for the neighborhood's  first ever Third Thursday event.  They will be offering special treats and deals that evening, making it a great night to hang out in Andersonville and get a jump start on another fun Chicago weekend!

Participants this month include:  Andersonville Guest House, Bucky Gear, Ceres' Table, City Olive, The Coffee Studio, Edgewater Historical Society, Fireside Restaurant, Found Vintage Living, FOURSIDED, Good Deal Garage, Green Genes, GreenSky, Hamburger Mary's, The Haymaker Shop, Jameson Loves Danger, Lake Shore Schools, Milk Handmade, Mr. & Mrs. Digz, Notice, Painted Light Photography & Framing Gallery, Presence, The Red Balloon, Room Service, Roost, Scout, SHE ART Chicago, Simon's Tavern, Swedish American Museum, , Toujours Spa & Salon, Turley Road, Urban Mischief, Vincent, White Attic, Women & Children First, and Woolly Mammoth.

Visit our Facebook invite, RSVP, and check out the latest deals that are being offered tomorrow night!

Mark your calendar for two more Third Thursday events on July 18 and August 15.

Things to love about Midsommarfest 2013: Beer sales support great local organizations

If you were looking for a reason to grab another beer at one of our Andersonville Community Beer Booths (located at Catalpa, Balmoral, and Berwyn), look no further:

Each time you buy a beer at Midsommarfest, you can help support schools and other great organizations in our neighborhood!  The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is donating a portion of our beer proceeds to these local organizations: Friends of Peirce Elementary, Friends of Trumbull Elementary* and the Swedish American Museum.

Each of these organizations are providing volunteers (parents, staff, and other friends) to staff the beer booths during the weekend.** So, step right up to the beer booths at Catalpa, Balmoral & Berwyn, give your friendly beer booth volunteer a high-five and tell them you'll have another one for the kids & community!

*Yes, Trumbull Elementary is closing, however the dedicated group of parents and staff behind Friends of Trumbull are still looking to raise money to support educational efforts in the community. 

**Just so you know, there is no child labor involved - what were you thinking?

Things to love about Midsommarfest 2013: FREE family fun

Everyone knows that Midsommarfest is a great place to have a cold beer and listen to great music, but there is also LOTS for families with kids to do during the day, thanks to the Family Fun Area, sponsored by Alamo Shoes.

Open from 11:00am-5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, the Family Fun Area will feature:

• Scale the always-popular inflatable climbing wall 
• Get in the fast lane with our 22' inflatable slide
• Crafts and theatre games with Dream Big Performing Arts
• Face painting by College Nannies & Tutors
• Chicago's Bicycling Ambassadors
• Crafts and games with an international flair exploring other cultures with Little Linguists Academy (Saturday only)  
• Activities with Design Dance (Sunday only)
• Toys Et Cetera featuring craft activities, in addition to their kid's talent show!      

As always, ALL activities in the Family Fun Area are FREE! And, don't forget, admission to the festival for kids 12 and under is also FREE.

In addition to the Family Fun Area, the Summerdale Stage (at Clark and Summerdale) features a great line-up of entertainment that kids of all ages are sure to love! The Summerdale Stage is sponsored by Lake Shore Schools.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

11:00 AM     Mad Science

12:00 PM     Ruff n' Stuff Pet Parade (stop by store to enter!)

1:00 PM       Trowbridge Guitar Studio

2:00 PM       Dream Big Performing Arts

2:30 PM       Little Linguists

3:00 PM       Raisin Rhyme

4:00 PM       LiveWire

5:00 PM       The Revelettes - Chicago's grooviest go-go gals

SUNDAY, JUNE 9

11:00 AM     Radio Disney

12:00 PM    Andersonville Suzuki

1:00 PM      Goodman Theatre's The Jungle Book

2:00 PM      Toys Et Cetera Kids Talent Show

3:00 PM      Dream Big Performing Arts

3:30 PM  Design Dance

4:00 PM      Laura Doherty

AND, that's not all!

The Swedish American Museum & Brunk Children's Museum of Immigration will also be offering FREE admission during Midsommarfest weekend (Saturday & Sunday, 11:00am-4:00pm), as well as children's activities in front of the museum during the day. 

Things to love about Midsommarfest 2013: Get a free beer for shopping local

Have you had your eye on that cute shirt for a while? Are you thinking about booking a massage to relieve some stress? Midsommarfest 2013 is the perfect time to treat yourself!

Again this year: If you SPEND $30 at any locally-owned Andersonville retail location or service provider (from a haircut to dry cleaning to dog grooming and more!) during Midsommarfest weekend (June 7, 8, & 9), bring your receipt to the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce booth and get a coupon for a FREE BEER during the festival.

Once again, you can help support the businesses in the neighborhood that are sometimes overlooked during the festival (c'mon...we KNOW you patronize the bars and restaurants). So, go ahead and check out that new shop that you've seen on the street, FINALLY take that bag of clothes to the dry cleaner, or get your dog (or yourself) looking pretty for strolling through the festival!

The small print: Valid for purchases of at least $30 Friday, June 7 - Sunday, June 9. Store or service provider must be locally-owned and located in the Andersonville retail district (Ainslie-Victoria, Magnolia-Ravenswood). Purchases at bars, restaurants and outdoor Midsommarfest vendors are excluded from this promotion. One beer coupon per person. The Chamber booth is located at Clark and Rascher on June 7 and at Clark & Berwyn on June 8 & 9. You must be 21 years of age or older with a valid photo ID to receive this promotion.

Want to know more about Midsommarfest? Click here!