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Writing travel guides for our readers is one of our favorite things to do!  We love sharing inspiring places for your road trip itineraries. (And, of course, we also have plenty of guides on our blog for how best to prep your car and pack for the drive!)  Today, we’re sharing our picks for must-see midwest sculpture parks for an unforgettable road trip experience. What better way could there be to celebrate the growth and beauty of Springtime than taking gorgeous nature walks through sprawling grounds dotted with larger than life artwork against a scenic backdrop? Exactly. We love that many of these parks are also free and open to the public year round, making them a wonderful option for a budget-friendly road trip stop.  Who says you can’t have fun while watching your wallet? Not us, that’s for sure. more (Image from Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park Website) Here are some of our picks for incredible Midwest Sculpture Parks to visit this Spring and Summer! Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park at University Park in Illinois - Situated in the tallgrass prairie and sprawling across more than 100 acres, 30+ sculptures stand tall and impressive on the grounds of Governors State University.  It’s open 365 days a year with free admission, making it a fantastic destination for families without breaking the bank.  The park also runs a schedule of selected programs, lectures, and workshops for both adults and children focusing on the integration and relationship of art and nature.  The enormous sculptures feature everything from carved stone, sculpted metal, to a 30-foot tall larger than life Paul Bunyan!  It’s absolutely beautiful to behold during the Spring and Autumn seasons especially.  29 of the sculptures are permanent collection pieces, and a variety of limited-viewing and rotating temporary pieces are available to view each year. Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park in Skokie, Illinois - Located just north of Chicago, this park especially highlights local Chicago artists and other creators through four different sections of park area. Artworks here are created from a variety of media including resin, metal, wood, clay, wire, and more.  It’s worth a visit during each season, as the dynamic and aesthetic of the sculptures in its natural environment changes with each season and type of weather!  Hop on a free tour with a volunteer docent, or walk the grounds on your own accord.  Got a pet in tow? Well-mannered and leashed pets are allowed on the property, just remember to clean up after your dog and be respectful of the landscaping, sculptures, and other guests.  It’s a great space as well for picnic lunch, a leisurely bike ride, or a change of pace for your usual running routine!  Be sure to check the calendar of events to find out if there are any hands-on workshops, artistic activities, or guest lectures during your visit.  There are more than 60 large-scale installations and sculptures on display, and the park is divided up into four sections, each about a half-mile long, with different creations in each sector.  Be sure to check out the venue’s “Art in the Park” event if you can! Goldman-Kuenz Sculpture Park in Mount Vernon, Illinois - This sculpture park is one of the largest in the Midwest, with more than 70 sculptures, each lovingly crafted by a variety of both local and regional artists, and placed across the park’s 80 acre grounds.  It provides an immersive experience seamlessly blending nature with art created from bronze, steel, stone, wood, concrete, and mixed media materials.  You can walk through the grounds’ three trail options, or enjoy the unique “Art After Dark” driving tour experience.  The sculpture park is open all year round, and offers an interesting experience with a “Seek and Find” directory of different sculptures to find and identify in Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter through their downloadable materials. It’s a wonderful option to engage with the artwork in a new way!  The garden is open on from 10AM to 5PM Tuesday through Saturday, and Sundays from 1PM to 5PM; it is closed on Mondays and on National Holidays, so be sure to factor that in to your schedule.  Check out their recent calendar of events and you may be able to catch a special guest lecture, hands-on activity, or the Art and Craft fair event. For some smaller-scale but equally beautiful entries into the sculpture parks of Illinois, you may also want to check out The Sculpture Park of Schaumburg, West Street Sculpture Park in Galena, and Scovill Sculpture Park in Decatur, Enos Park Sculpture Garden in Springfield. Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park in Indianapolis, Indiana - This is one of the largest art parks in the US, with 100 acres of wetlands, forests, and beautiful interactive sculptures and public art installations dotting the land around a 35-acre lake, and it’s completely free to visit!  It’s also home to the largest native pollinator meadow in Indianapolis, an impressive sight to see.  The intent of the park is to inspire visitors to explore the relationship between humans, art, and nature.  If you’re looking for an accessible destination, a large portion of the park contains accessible pathways for mobility access, and there is a designated ADA and stroller friendly lot on grounds as well.  Visitors will delight in the fact that they’re encouraged to interact and play with many of the features, including relaxing or sitting on the “Bench Around the Lake” exhibit, or enjoy a game of basketball or free-throws at the incredible “Free Basket” sculpture court.  This summer, three new sculptures will be added as part of the Home Again Exhibit featuring work by Heather Hart, Mark Dion and Dana Sherwood, and local Indianapolis-based artist Anila Quayyum Agha!  It’s the first major activation at the park since 2010, and the first installation of The Hawryluk Sculpture Green outdoor public art installation.  Make sure you add this stop to your next Indiana trip so you can witness this historic art event in person! Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota - This incredible 11-acre garden is filled to the brim with native plants and blossoms, as well as an outstanding amount of stunning sculptures and art installations, and is free to explore and visit from 6AM to midnight!  It’s open 365 days a year, offering visitors a chance to explore more than 40 outdoor sculptures in different weather and seasons.  There’s even a miniature golf course on site featuring yearly updates with artist-designed holes ($10 to play for guests 7 and up, but 6 and under are free with paid adults)  It’s a fantastic place to take the family for an outing, especially during the Springtime and prime picnic weather!  Enjoy a stroll around the grounds and observe how art and nature blend together to create a unique viewing experience for each peace.  It’s the perfect opportunity to learn how art is in the eye of the beholder, as you find new ways to check out the larger than life 3D sculptures from different angles, distances, times of day, and even repeat visits during different seasons!  Plus, with free admission it makes a great family friendly excursion if you’re vacationing on a budget.

Let’s Visit the Mid West Music Fest in Winona Minnesota! We’re getting ready to take the first road trip of the season!  We’re headed out to Winona in Minnesota for the MidWest Music Fest for two jampacked days of incredible music with more than 100 different artists!  It’s the perfect spring celebration for music lovers, because you can enjoy all of your favorite genres from folk to indie rock to funk and more. more While we’re there, we’re also going to make it a little mini getaway trip, just to decompress, destress, and enjoy a little more time away from work.  So come on and join us as we explore Winona on today’s travel blog. Winona is a fantastic destination filled with just about everything you can think of! If you’re into nature and the outdoors, there are plenty of trails to hike or bike, and the gorgeous Great River Bluffs State Park. Enjoy a beautiful low-key stroll or bike ride down the 1.5 mile trail while you do a little bird watching at the Prairie Island Nature Trail. Or give yourself a little challenge by visiting John A. Latsch State Park for some incredible vista points overlooking the Mississippi River Valley.  Adventureseekers will find plenty of thrills with intermediate and challenging trails for both hiking and cycling at Garvin Heights Park. If you love boating and canoeing or kayaking, you’ll definitely want to book a tour with the Broken Paddle Guiding Co. for an incredible guided look at the wilds along the Mississippi River, or bring your own canoe in tow and row through the Mississippi River Water Trails. As you may already have gathered from previous travel guides, we’re also a bunch of history buffs here at Classic!  One of our favorite things to do when we take a road trip is to get to know the local history through museums, historic sites, and cultural touchstones.  Winona is home to the Dakota Nation, and hosts special ceremonies and events such as the Winona Dakota Gathering Homecoming & Powwow”, created to honor and respect the indigenous peoples of the land through the Winona-Dakota Unity Alliance at Unity Park. As you walk through town, you must stop by the historic downtown and explore the historic buildings and architecture like the Pickwick Mill and Bunnell House. And of course, be sure to stop by the Winona County History Center, Watkins Heritage Museum, Kashubian Cultural Institute and Polish Museum, Castlerock Museum, and our personal favorite: The Remlinger Muscle Cars & Event Center! Extend your appreciation of the arts after the music festival and enjoy the beautiful curated collections at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, or take in a live event or film showing at the Winona Arts Center. As for lodging, there are several charming Bed and Breakfast options in the area, such as the Alexander Mansion Historic B&B, the Carriage House Bed & Breakfast, and the Big River Escape Grandview Manse villa.  If you prefer to book with larger hotels, there is a Best Western Plus, the Hampton Inn, and more!

Today is Cinco De Mayo, but aside from promotional events and bottomless margarita specials, how much do you know about the origins of this day in Mexican history?  Today, we wanted to take a moment to share a little bit about the origins of this commemorative holiday, and then of course, a list of local restaurants where you can grab a delicious Mexican dinner with friends and family!  (And of course after reading this blog you can impress them with your knowledge of history and culture while you chow down!) It’s a great day to support your local Mexican and Mexican-American owned local businesses. more Sharing the real, authentic story behind the holiday is a great way to change stereotypes and educate others about the powerful origins of this day in Mexican heritage and history!  So make sure if you’re partaking in the festivities locally, that you remember its importance and talk about it with others.  Supporting Mexican Arts and Mexican Museums is another great way to celebrate!  Embracing the culture, history, and traditions of Mexican artisans through special gallery shows and arts and history museums is an incredible way to connect and honor the culture.  And, of course, exploring the incredibly vast and flavorful authentic meals and recipes from Mexico’s many different regional cuisines.  Whether you’re stopping by a local restaurant or cooking a meal at home for you and your family and friends, it’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with the heritage! Looking for dishes that originated in Puebla specifically? Check out this great list from Isabella’s blog “Let’s Travel to Mexico”! What is Cinco De Mayo? In America it’s become synonymous with unlimited tacos and bottomless margs, but it actually holds significant historic relevance to the country of Mexico.  Contrary to popular belief, its association with a feast of Mexican and Tex Mex foods is a popularly increasing celebratory trend of recent years.   Many people presume that Cinco De Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day, but it actually has other origins. Cinco de Mayo, is actually the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, a celebration observed in Mexico and parts of the US. The Mexican Army’s achieved victory over the French Empire on May 5th 1862, thanks to General Ignacio Zaragoza, and overtook the French Forces of Napoleon III.  The French later returned with reinforcements, but ultimately were defeated by the Mexican Army who took full control back of the city later in April 1867.  The battle remains a significant day in Mexican history, symbolizing Mexico’s determination to take back their home, and their fortitude in the face of foreign occupation and aggressors.  In Mexico, it’s not really a “holiday” except for the region of Puebla, where it of course is very significant. Mother and daughter talking while preparing food at kitchen counter at home Check out this video from Street Vlogs and take a drive through Puebla from Angelopolis through to the Historic City  Center in gorgeous 4K video! Vlogger Geraldine Glam on YouTube is sharing 20 things to do in Puebla 2023! (En Español) Learn more about the food and history of Puebla Mexico from Tourist to Local on Youtube! Anthony Bourdain A Cooks Tour “Puebla Where the Good Cooks are From” is a nostalgic episode from Season 1 of the late chef’s show celebrating the incredible cuisine, culture, and history of Puebla Mexico! What’s it like driving the Pan American Highway through Mexico? Check out this incredible vlog from Toyota World Runners on YouTube as the document their road trip journey. Daniel Suarez is the first Mexican NASCAR driver, and here’s a little spotlight video from I Am Athlete on YouTube! Great Mexican and TexMex Eateries in the Lake County Illinois and Greater Chicago Area: Toluca’s Restaurant in Waukegan Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant in Waukegan Antojitos Guerrero in Waukegan El FAmous Burrito in Waukegan Taqueria El Charro in Waukegan La Canoa in Waukegan Taqueria Guerrero in Waukegan Golosinas El Encanto in Waukegan El Caporal in Waukegan Tacos El Norte in Waukegan Comales de Waukegan in Waukegan Sazon Cocina Mexicana in Waukegan Three Amigos in Lake Villa Dos Amigos Mexican Restaurant in Libertyville Authentico Mexican Restaurant & Bar in Lake Forest Jalisco Restaurant in Gurnee Momcorn in Gurnee Sofia’s Mexican Restaurant in Island Lake Casa Bonita MExican Restaurant and Tequila Bar Mexican Grill Los Magueyes in Fox Lake

We’re back with another edition of our local Community Calendar of Events! Looking for something fun to do this weekend? We’ve got a great roundup of entertainment, workshops, events, and other activities to keep you busy through this weekend and all month long!  Whether you’re looking for family bonding fun, or a date night out, or something exciting to enjoy with friends, you’ll find it right here on our list.  And, as always, feel free to leave your own events in the comments below for our readers and followers to check out! more At Larsen Marine from 9AM to 1PM on Saturday, March 4th, come on out for the Annual Saturday Seminar Series! Each week, Larsens will host two free seminars on a variety of marine-related topics. March 4th from 6PM to 8PM at ZumBier, join the local Rotary Club of Waukegan for a fun evening of fundraising with a silent auction to help local charities. Looking forward to a night out at the theatre? You’re in luck!  The Three Brothers Theatre is hosting “Desdemona, A play about a handkerchief” starting at 7:30PM on March 4th and March 5th! On March 5th, enjoy an evening of world class music at the Orlin Trapp Auditorium with the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert. On March 5th, Lake County’s Stan Dard Jazz Project is playing an evening of classic American Jazz standards from 6PM at Nightshade and Dark’s Pandemonium Brewing (the show is free to attend, but feel free to tip the band at the end of the series!) Stop on over to Bertrands Bowling Lanes on Monday March 6th at 6PM til 8PM for an evening of Bingo. On March 7th, grab your latest yarn or fiber craft and head on over to Nighttshade and Dark’s Pandemonium Brewing for a local Yarn and Knitting group! Whether you crochet, weave, hook rugs, cross-stitch or embroiderer, all fiber artist enthusiasts and experience levels are welcome here. Nightshade and Dark’s Pandemonium Brewing is hosting a fantastic night of trivia with drag queen Lola Madison and her friends and prizes go to the winning team! So put your thinking caps on and head on over a t 7PM on March 8th for Drag Queen Trivia Night. The Greenbelt Cultural Center is hosting an incredible outdoor experience for kids on Thursday MArch 9th starting at 10:00AM. From hiking to exploring and connecting with nature, your kids will be having so much fun they won’t even realize it’s an educational excursion! Ballet Folklorico Tayahua: A Night in Mexico will be showing on March 11th at 6PM in Genessee Theatre which celebrates the diversity of Mexican Culture and history, and shares it with the new generation! Grab the whole family and all of your friends and head on over to the Belvidere Cinema Gallery for a free showing of Oliver & Company starting at 4PM on March 18th. ArtWauk is back on Saturday, March 18th from 5PM to 9PM in the Arts and Entertainment district of Waukegan. Dandelion Gallery & Studio is hosting Yoga and Sound Meditation starting on Saturday March 25th at 10:30AM and inclues 45 minutes of beginner yoga with 15 minutes of sound meditation all faciulitated by Calvin Piktail. LCCCA is presenting the Illumine Trio at the Orlin Trapp Auditorium from 3PM to 5:30PM on Sunday March 26th. The Three Brothers Theatre is hosting Masters of Sketch: Spring SKetch Extravaganza from 7:30 to 9PM at Stage 115 for an evening of adult centric comedy.

Today is Giving Tuesday, and we’re celebrating this charitable event by highlighting a great local organization that needs our help, as well as amazing ways to support our most vulnerable in the community. Taking care of one another is what community is all about!  If you’ve been following our page or blog for a little while, you’ve probably heard us mention local nonprofit COOL Ministries.  We have partnered with this organization for all sorts of community giving including coat drives, food bank donations, community cookouts, and more!  We look forward to each and every one of these special events, and we find it reassuring to know that COOL Ministries provides so much support to the people of our community.  Let’s learn more about ways you can help! more COOL Ministries is a not for profit charitable organization serving families in Illinois.  Their aim is to provide support and assistance to families in need by reducing hunger, homelessness, and empowering people with confidence and life skills.  COOL Ministries believes in supporting vulnerable members of the community by sustaining personal growth, job skills, and leading to eventual self-sufficiency and stability. Founded by members of six Lutheran Churches, the organization first opened its doors to the community in 1983 with its inaugural COOL Food Pantry project.  They opened an additional location in 2007, COOL Pantry West, in Ingleside by way of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, which remained in operation through 2018. COOL pantry provides local families and veterans with breakfast, lunch, and dinner; they also provide accommodations for cardiac and diabetic diets, as well as options for those with allergies, and a wide array of ethnic food offerings. Since 2015, COOL Ministries is now a fully recognized social services organization run by the COOL Board of Directors who put their heart and soul into their work.  In 2016, after 30 years of operation out of a storefront in downtown Waukegan, headquarters relocated operations to a beautiful facility downtown at the Glen Flora Building on West Glen Flora Avenue. The COOL pantries receive an immense amount of community support from everyone here in Lake County; everyone from churches to individuals to the United Way of Lake County, and incredible grant funding and corporate donations.  We are also proud to count ourselves in the midst of those who support the efforts of COOL Ministries as they help local families and veterans find their footing on stable ground!  The support for COOL Ministries and the COOL Pantries is as diverse as the beautiful community we all love, work, and live in. Please, join us in supporting our community by helping raise funds and collecting donation items for COOL ministries from this list: Other fantastic ways you can support your community: Donate your time and physical presence to helping stock food pantries or serve meals Give blood at local blood banks or blood drives Offer ride share service to your neighbors, local seniors, and disabled individuals. Oftentimes these folks may need rides to important appointments, picking up their meds, and gathering groceries! Providing transportation as needed can be a great help! Start a community garden and urban agriculture project and encourage your friends and neighbors to join in planting, cultivating, and harvesting fruits and veggies and other edible plants. Ask if your employer will contribute a “gift match” to your personal donation, and make a few contributions to local organizations like COOL ministries and others. When shopping on Amazon, set http://Smile.Amazon.com as your homepage and contribute a percentage of your purchases to the charity of your choice. Create care packages for the local unhoused population and distribute, or bring to warming stations around the city. Remember to include some additional bags for pets; many unhoused individuals do care for family pets, have service animals, and general animal companions. Providing food and water and treats for peoples’ pets can help as well! Collect gently used toys, books, and clothing in good condition which has been laundered and folded neatly, and bring them to a local family shelter or to warming stations around town.  Remember to include extended sizing from infant to toddler to juniors as well as adult XS to XXXXL when purchasing or collecting clothing! All bodies deserve comfortable clothing and warmth. Volunteer at a local animal shelter to do dog walking and animal playtime sessions, drop off canned and bagged animal food and kitty litter, donate gently used blankets and sheets and towels, bleach, pet safe salt/gravel, and other daily use pet items. Contribute specialty food goods, seasonings, and allergen friendly items to local food banks, pantries, and community fridges.  Just because someone is unhoused does not mean they no longer have dietary restrictions or don’t deserve a healthy, delicious meal! Remember to contribute personal hygiene items such as diapers, diaper rash cream, sunscreen, deodorant, soap and shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, over the counter medications such as fever reducers and children’s meds, and toilet paper to local food drives, shelters and collection banks in addition to food. Spend some time at local senior centers, nursing homes, and care facilities, especially around the holidays!  Due to the Covid19 pandemic, many elderly and disabled people have had a difficult few years in isolation, and spending time with fellow community members can lift their spirits!  Remember to protect our vulnerable populations, though, and adhere to social distancing and vaccination/mask requirements. And of course, all of us here at Classic Auto Group send a comforting virtual hug to you all in thanks for your support and dedication to building a better community!

There’s nothing quite like a twinkling display of festive holiday lights and creative illuminated sculptures in the great outdoors.  Whether you’re flying solo, enjoying a romantic date night out, or a family friendly evening, nothing brightens the holiday spirits more!  Lose yourself in the magical winter wonderland of seasonal light displays with these fantastic suggestions on today’s blog. more Now through January 1st 2023, the Lake County Fairgrounds and Events Center is bringing back its popular Santa’s Rock N Lights show! This gorgeous one mile stretch of lights is all set for a drive-through experience complete with holiday tunes!  And new for this year is the Pop Up Village with photo ops, ax throwing, face painting, ornament crafts, and visits with Santa! You’ll also have plenty to snack on with local food trucks as well as free hot chocolate! Now through January 9th from 4:30-10 on Weekdays and 4:30-11 on Weekends in Northbrook, “Let it Shine” presents the area’s largest drive through Christmas Lights at Northbrook Court synchronized to holiday classic music! Goebbert’s Christmas Lights Show at Goebbert’s Pumpkin farm is running now through January 3rd from 5-10 and 5-11 (varies per day of week.)  You’ll enjoy more than one million twinkling lights set to music from the cozy comfort of your own car. Now through December 25th, head to downtown Antioch for the annual Christmas Musical Light Show! There are two shows alternating each day which run about 20 minutes long between the hours of 6PM and 9PM. On December 2nd, Genesee Theatre is hosting A Very Electric Christmas spectacular hosted by the Lightwire Theater! This unique and one-of-a-kind show takes place in a totally dark environment where the theatre group uses their own bodies to manipulate light into puppetry style storytelling.  It’s a completely jaw-dropping experience, and a memorable holiday gift for the ages! On December 3rd, head over to Waukegan Main Street at 10N Martin Luther King Jr Avenue in Waukegan for the annual official Tree Lighting Ceremony in Waukegan. The tree lighting ceremony is also accompanied by the Holiday Lights Parade and Holiday Walk on Main Waukegan! On December 8th, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is rolling through Gurnee with a 5-5:10PM arrival, bringing in our good pal Old St. Nick for a visit of holiday cheer!  Stick around after it departs at 5:30/5:40PM and enjoy some christmas caroling, food trucks, snacks, hot chocolate, holiday crafting, s’mores, a petting zoo and so much more. December 11th-13th, 18th-23rd, 26th-31st, and January 2nd and 3rd, kids will love the hands-on experience of controlling the holiday light show themselves with a glowstick wand at the Kohlights Walk-Thru Experience at the children’s museum! Opening  December 17th through January 2nd 2023, Shiloh Park in Zion is bringing you Home for the Holidays Lighted Christmas Trail! A drive through holiday light trail with more than 100,000 lights and 50 one-of-a-kind displays.  And, as rumor has it, you may be able to catch Santa himself on opening day, so keep your eyes peeled. Now through January 1st 2023, drive on over to Wintrust Field in Schaumburg for the Shine Light Show. This winter wonderland features more than one million lights, all synchronized in beautiful displays to classic holiday tunes and merriment! Other Wonderful Drive Through Holiday Experiences in the Area: Hampton Reserve Neighborhood at Timber Pass Road and Midlothian Road in Mundelein has nearly 100 homes who have worked in tandem to coordinate holiday light displays! Libertyville’s Golf Road and Dymond Road neighborhood is home to an annual display of coordinated milk-carton luminaries that are truly a sight to behold! Lights on Chantilly in Lake on the Hills features more than 50,000 christmas lights in a synchronized musical and light show! Grayslake Heritage District and Center Street’s historic downtown are picturesque displays of lights against historic architecture and cozy scenery. The Tarkowski Family home at 1256 Bradford Lane  in Antioch is an impressive family affair full of twinkling lights and festive merriment synced to music which you can hear when tuned in to radio 88.7 in your car! The Gandor Family Light Show in Lake Zurich runs through January with synchronized music and light shows and twinkling holiday light displays for the season!

The Annual Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago is just around the corner, and we’re here to help you find the best ways to view the parade up close and personal. This year’s annual procession will be making its way North up state street from Ida B. Well Drive to Randolph Street from 8AM through 11AM.  Today we’re covering some details on this year’s performances, when to arrive for both VIP and free access, and how to secure the best spots for viewing. more Special staged appearances this year are scheduled in the main stage area between Washington and Randolph Streets from 8AM to 9AM with: American Blues Theater, Chicago Korean Dance Company, Cirque Experience, Country music recording artist Donnie Lee Strickland, Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline, Danza Azteca Xochitl-Quetzal, Jesse White Tumbling Team, Music Theater Works. There will also be marching bands from 19 different schools and colleges/universities, as well as multiple Equestrian Demonstrations, and dozens of floats and gigantic helium balloons!  And of course, dear ol’ Saint Nick will be bringing up the close.  Esteemed and honored guests this year also include Monica Nia-Jones, crowned Miss Illinois 2022, and Mia Fritsch-Anderson, crowned Miss Outstanding Teen 2022 You can catch the parade from the comfort of your own couch on its new home of CW26 hosted by Jen Lilley and Jesse Hutch, but VIP tickets are available for a close-up look at the fun for just $60 per person VIPs will have private portable restrooms and general admission bleacher seats for maximum comfort;  VIP opens at 7AM, and it’s recommended to arrive no later than 7:30!  Otherwise, the parade is free to attend, but it should be noted that it may not be the most accessible for disabled attendees due to high crowds, lots of walking and standing for three hours or more  in order to view.  People begin lining the streets starting around 6AM, and many bring folding chairs and blankets to keep warm (it’s not called the Windy City for nothing, after all!)  Dress in layers, wearing plenty of warm winter weather attire,and consider wearing lip balm and moisturizer to prevent your face and lips from becoming chapped in the cold!  Expect long lines for exiting at 11AM, and plan your afternoon accordingly. Public transit and local area hotels/restaurants will be very busy! Veteran parade viewers recommend sending out a few adult representatives from your group to go on up ahead and save space so younger family members can take a little extra time to walk and meet them.  After the parade, you can stop over to the Christkindl Holiday Market at Daley Plaza at 50 W Washington Street, which will be open on Thanksgiving day from 11AM to 4PM. Looking for a direct live stream of the parade to watch at home from your laptop or tablet? You can check out this Official Live Stream of the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade on YouTube which goes live at 9AM! ​​

Looking for gifts for your mechanic with a more personal touch than a box of donuts and some coffee?  Need a gift for that hard-to-shop-for car lover instead of a gift card to the local detailer?  Want something shiny and new for the race track fan in your life? We’ve got you covered on the second edition of our Gift Guide for Gearheads!  You’ll find options for every car lover, and things both great and small, yes folks that’s right our list has it all!  We’re also keeping this list “big box corporate” this time for all you last minute gifties who need items fast. Plus, all the items on this list are extremely budget friendly and under $50! more We love this versatile gender-inclusive tee  that comes in 4 different colorways. The “Just One More Car I Promise” tee is perfect for the mechanic or car collector in your life! Best of all, it includes “free delivery by” deal options to ensure you get it in time for the holidays. It’s also a steal for under $20! Know someone who spends more time in the garage than anywhere else? Does that person also find every opportunity possible to cram in some “shop talk” about their latest project car?  Well, then the “I Love Cars More Than People” tee is the perfect choice. It comes in multiple cuts and colors, and won’t break the bank at a price under $25! What could be more fun than writing your own plot for Fast and Furious movies? The Highway Heist Game from Funko puts you in the driver’s seat as Dom, Brian, Letty, Roman and more and race through one of three different scenarios. The game is a great choice for adults as well as teenagers!  2-4 players can finish a game in about an hour, making it a fantastic party game. At the time of publishing this post, the game is on sale for $13.08, but it’s regularly priced just under $30! Ever find yourself stuck in traffic and wishing you could zip through a secret passageway to freedom?  Well, with the ThinkFun Rush Hour Traffic Jam Brain Game, you can live vicariously!  It’s perfect for families and adults alike, and has lots of combinations for configurations allowing for fresh game play over and over.  It’s also great for traveling, and is at an affordable price of $21.99. Much as you may love your best pal or family member, it’s not really in everyone’s budget to gift a whole car, but you can give them a lot of cars…In book form, that is! The “Secrets of the Barn Find Hunter: The Art of Finding Lost Collector Cars” book by Tom Cotter is a wonderful choice for the gearhead who has everything. They’ll get a great look into the collecting business, and maybe learn a few tricks.  Best of all, it’s budget friendly at $20.49 at the time of publishing this blog, and the book cover looks so beautiful. Save a few dollars while turning a few heads with this impressive tome. For the automotive historian in your midst, you may want to try something a little different.  You’ll find in depth profiles on more than 70 vehicles in Classic American Muscle Car history, along with anecdotes and stories of iconic events in automotive history.”Muscle and Chrome: Classic American Muscle Cars” is sure to please any gearhead on your list, including the kids! For the nostalgic car lover on your list, we recommend “ My Dad Had That Car” which takes a look back in time to some of the most memorable vehicles spanning 70 years! At the time of publishing this blog post, this gorgeous hard cover book is on sale for $30.23, and it’s regularly priced under $40!

Since its first episode aired on this day in 1969, Sesame Street has been an indispensable part of children’s and families’ lives all around the world!  Its colorful world filled with human and muppet counterparts has provided a charming, captivating, and empathetic format for education and empowerment of the youth. Sesame Street was born of a need to provide children in urban areas with accessible, diverse, and inclusive educational resources.  Joan Ganz Cooney, Lloyd Morrisett, and Jim Henson conceived of the show as something that would appeal to kids regardless of their age, abled or disabled, socioeconomic background, or ethnicity! more From learning numbers to colors to the alphabet, from science to art to world cultures, it’s undeniable how indelible this resource has become in the history of childhood development. To this day, the show has been broadcast globally to more than 190 million children  in 70 different languages across 150 countries with 30 different international co-productions.  And that’s not all!  There are hundreds of print media books, comics, and coloring books to build on and reinforce the concepts taught and demonstrated in the series, for yet another way for viewers and families to engage. We love to see it! Of course, since cars and transportation are our bread and butter, we’re checking out some of the incredible ways that Sesame Street has connected kids to transportation, movement, and the automotive industry through STEM/STEAM activities and play based learning! In 1975, Sesame Street and CTW introduced “The Countmobile”, helmed by none other than our number loving Transylvanian pal, The Count!  Borrowing designs from retro vehicles, a vampire coffin, and the vintage Batmobile designs, this unique vehicle was lovingly hand-crafted with purple paint, green flames, and  goofy camp!  It was used to illustrate the importance of road rules, driver/passenger etiquette, and pedestrian safety to youngsters.  Ten years later in 1985, the vehicle was upgraded for the Follow That Bird movie, and built on the bones of a 1930s Frazer Nash replica, and sported a very smart pair of purple and black bat wings and a New York State license plate with 12345678910 on it! Sesame Street is no stranger to introducing kids to automotive concepts, highlighting a series of classic and vintage (then new and popular) daily drivers, highlighting everything from a Taxi to a station wagon to cargo vans and more! Here is a super fun list of vehicles featured in Sesame Street over its 50ish years in production.  They’ve also updated several classic children’s songs, such as “Wheels on the Bus”, while creating some of their own memorable hits like “Let’s Go Driving.” We love this segment from early Sesame Street in which Grover is a Taxi driver!  It’s a very funny way to introduce kids into Taxi etiquette, Taxis as part of city culture and transportation, and the way car services work.  It’s also a very sweet nod to the personality and hustle and bustle of “city culture.” In this segment of Bert and Ernie’s Great Adventures from the 2010s, Bert and Ernie are working as car mechanics. Of course, wacky hijinks ensue as they highlight the basics of car maintenance and the pitfalls of not keeping up with a reliable service schedule, haha! If you’re looking for relatable content to help kids pass the time in the car, this segment with Abby, Cookie, Guy Smiley, and Cookie’s Mom is a surefire hit! Introducing kids to the concept of boredom busters and family togetherness through a round of “Smiley Says” can help them connect and thwart the doldrums. (And a humorous rendition of the infamous “Cash Cab!”) And of course, showing their favorite characters buckled up and in their car seats! Elmo and Rosita are going to the museum with Papa Elmo, and have jumped into the car and stepped into an unexpected episode of Guy Smiley’s travel gameshow, for a round of “I Spy”! Another classic car game that kids will love playing together, and will be extra excited to try now that their favorite characters have demonstrated!  Not only that, but it encourages the powers of observation while driving and passenging, and observing internal and external environments!  We also love how nicely it highlights the childlike muppets being properly belted and buckled, as well as the grownups who drive paying close attention to the road. We also love this similar segment of Bert, Ernie, and Count all buckled up safely, playing another classic car game of “Name That Animal” style charades! This wonderful clip from Elmo and Abby explains the basics of car safety to kids, and the importance of wearing a seatbelt before hitting the road.  By employing the element of imaginative play, the safety lesson is framed incredibly well, the concept of seatbelts to improve safety in crashes introduced gently, and all the while accessible for little minds to grasp. We love it! These segments continue to impress upon us the importance of vital children's television programming such as Sesame Street, and reasons why public access to educational resources is the way we build a better future as a community. Let’s all do our part to support funding and research for educational programming and encourage generations of children to explore, learn, and play! Images on this post for educational and illustrative purposes only; no copyright infringement intended. All characters and videos and imagery belongs to CTW and derivative networks.

The holidays will be here before you know it!  And we thought we’d do a little two-for-one post and celebrate “Go to a Museum Day” along with a creative little gift guide of ideas for unconventional holiday gifts!  You can spread a little bit of holiday spirit and kindle the spirit of creativity at the same time. Whether you choose to gift an art print, a framed original, or some other creation, it’s going to be a memorable present. Or consider “gifting” an experience like a day trip to a museum, theater membership, or even a painting or drawing class.  Check out our suggested destinations to explore! more Museum or theatre memberships can also make a great family gift while also helping support our local arts scene.  Plus, it’s a great way to do a little family bonding and get out of the house so you all can enjoy a change of scenery and exercise your minds. Gifting a Museum Admission Membership or even just a day trip pass can be an unforgettable experience!  Explore history, learn more about arts and culture, and inspire your family and friends to be more creative with unique museums to visit. More Great Museums for Art and History Buffs to Explore Art Institute of Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago Elmhurst Art Museum Cleve Carney Museum of Art WNDR Museum Racine Art Museum The Color Factory Halim Time & Glass Museum The Block Museum The Smart Museum of Art DePaul Museum of Art Bixbee Imagination Station Loyola University Museum of Art The Doctor Seuss Experience Kenosha Public Museum The African American Museum at the England Manor The Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County National Museum of the American Scholar Elawa Farm and Cultural Center Ray Bradbury Experience Museum Grab a paintbrush and let’s paint the town silver and gold with friends new and old, and check out our picks for great art, fun day trips, and creative classes to give to your loved ones!  Take a look at some of the great experiences and artistic shopping options we’ve got for you on today’s blog.  When you shop small, your dollars have a direct impact on the community and your neighbourhood.  Consider purchasing gifts directly from these artists and local galleries, and bringing joy to the holidays in more than one way! Give the Gift of Art Lessons and Creative Experiences Artpie Studio and Gallery Art School Dandelion Gallery & Studio The Jack Benny Center Kapheim Studio of Artist Thom Kapheim Artsonia LLC ArtPark Waukegan Creative Arts Inc of Crystal Lake Adler Arts Center of Libertyville

Today is STEM/STEAM day, and we’ve rounded up some picks for incredible gift giving ideas to inspire young Engineers and Entrepreneurs!  The Arts and “STEAM” programming are a vital part of any person’s well-rounded education.  Without support for STEAM/Arts education, society would truly struggle to advance forward as a society.  It is the strength of the vital bond between science, math, engineering, art, and mathematics that help us create new technologies, find creative solutions to real-world problems, and take incredible leaps in progress!  So let’s all do our part to support Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics in our communities.  Consider gifting some resources or funding to local organizations that provide STEM/STEAM activities for our local community and youth.  Together, we can inspire these bright young minds and work towards a brighter tomorrow! more First up on our list is the Discovery #Mindblown Model Engine STEM Science Kit that lets your up-and-coming engineer and mechanic explore the science and technology behind an automotive engine!  It’s a fantastic, budget-friendly gift for the young inventor in your midst. Stemnex Amazing Steam Engine is an awesome project kit that allows you build a realistic, working steam engine with real steam and whistle action!  It does have quite a few parts, so it’s better suited to older budding engineers or may need additional help from a parent or adult. The FANL Train Set Toy and RC Train allows kids to explore and interact with remote controlled train and build their own track to experiment with the best layout and design. It comes with rechargeable batteries and a water squeeze bottle to create realistic steam action. It’s an introduction to building and engineering, and thinking creatively. KiwiCo kits like this Stereo Headphones box are a great way to get your little learners involved and connect them to the engineering, industrial science, and mathematics behind every day household items!  They’ll love knowing they had a hand in making this themselves when they use it for listening to music or gaming! Gift a Class or Membership t o the young adults and teens in your life at the College of Lake County in Grayslake! The KiwiCo RaceDay kit is perfect for younger engineers to experiment with.  They’ll have an opportunity to build and customize their own balloon cars, and observe different speeds and drive styles!  Additionally, they’ll have fun using the hand-powered air brush for decorating for a full sensory experience! Need an option that spans multiple age groups? Check out these options that will allow friends groups and siblings of all ages to connect with one another! The Ramps and Balls set is perfect for experimenting by using the included wooden balls or experimenting with toy cars, zoomy toys, and wooden train toys as well!  It’s a timeless, classic toy set that allows for plenty of flexible play. The Construction Plank Build-It Kit is a fabulous hands-on introduction to construction, with each little card giving your scholars and engineers an opportunity to problem solve and replicate the item pictured.  Kids can work together to create, or turn it into a game of skill and wits! Leaves lots of room for creativity and open ended play. The Design & Build Engineering Center Kit Set is perfect for open ended play, especially if older siblings want to help little ones!  Perfect for ages 3 to 7, but open ended enough for older kids, too.  Use the kits alone, or combine them to create to your heart’s desire! Sensory play is extremely important for kids of all ages, allowing them to interact with the environment and problem solve in creative ways!  It gives them a tangible experience to process the math, science, and logic of the world around them.  We recommend the Mold & Play Sensory Sand Set, Squish & Squeeze Sensory Beads,  and the Classroom Clay & Dough Designer Tool Kit which works with any play dough or clay!

Today is National Saxophone Day, and we’re highlighting some incredible musicians from the Chicago area that have more than earned their moment in the spotlight.  These great musicians have made their indelible mark on the Chicago music scene, and heavily influenced Chicago Jazz and Blues styles. more Ari Brown is a Chicago based musician and composer who plays tenor saxophone as well as piano.  He’s performed alongside some of the most notable musicians in Jazz history including Lou Rawls, BB King, and Chuck Berry! Fred Anderson is a Chicago based musician and tenor saxophonist known for his mentorship of up-and-coming jazz musicians.  Anderson’s got a long legacy of playing swing music, bebop jazz, and in free jazz movements. He also founded The Velvet Lounge and has become a fixture of the Chicago Jazz Scene. Von Freeman was a bop-style tenor saxophonist with his finger on the pulse of the music industry since the age of 16. He was known for his work playing with the Horace Henderson Group in the 40s.  He became an iconic fixture in the Chicago Jazz scene and truly beloved by Jazz aficionados worldwide, though only achieved notoriety late in his life. Walter Parazaider is a versatile woodwind musician, playing saxophone, flute, and clarinet as well as the guitar.  He’s best known for being a founding member of the Jazz Pop Rock band, Chicago! Gene Ammons was called “The Boss”, and destined to be legendary, being practically born into the music business as the son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons.  Gene Ammons chart-topping, bluesy flavor of tenor saxophone music was heavily rooted in soul and R&B styling. Johnny Griffin was nicknamed “the Little Giant” due to his short height, but that didn’t stop him from climbing the ranks to legendary status!  His huge career began in the 1940s and he played well into the 2000s!  His speed, harmonic acuity, and precise control made him almost untouchable. Looking to enjoy some fine musical stylings this weekend? Check out these locations which offer incredible jazz and blues music and events! Rosa’s Lounge, Logan Square, Chicago Le Piano, Rogers Park, Chicago Harlem Avenue Lounge in Chicago Winter’s Jazz Club in Chicago Jazz Showcase, South Loop, Chicago The Green Mill in Chicago Kingston Mines, Lincoln Park, Chicago Buddy Guy’s Legends, South Loop, Chicago Open Door Repertory Company in Chicago Constellation, Roscoe Village, Chicago Andy’s Jazz Club in Chicago Coco Club, Brighton Park, Chicago