lizseymour
03-31-2009, 04:13 PM
Shoreline’s Olympic Spark: Forget the red carpet. To welcome the International Olympic Committee to Chicago, Shoreline Sightseeing (http://www.shorelinesightseeing.com/) will offer a special Fireworks Cruise on Saturday, April 4. The cruise departs Navy Pier at 7:30 p.m. for a Lake Michigan ride, followed by an Olympic-themed Navy Pier fireworks display at 8 p.m. The occasion is one of a series of special presentations taking place on April 4 at Navy Pier to welcome the International Olympic Committee to Chicago. Events are centered on Chicago’s theme as a candidate host city for the 2016 Olympics: “Let Friendship Shine”. In keeping with the Olympic colors, Shoreline’s vessel will be lit with red, blue, green and yellow lights. Tickets are available for advance purchase online.
Illinois Derby: It may not be quite as well known as a certain other state’s race, but the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Race Course (http://www.hawthorneracecourse.com/promotions/illderby.php) is definitely worth a visit. The weekend of festivities run from Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 5, with the the 52nd Running of the Illinois Derby on Saturday, April 4, starting at 1:25 p.m. Events will include a Derby Preview Party on Friday and a Family Day with activities for children on Sunday, April 5. Friday features also include $1 beers, admission (including programs), hotdogs and pretzels. Since becoming a prep race for the Kentucky Derby in 2001, the Illinois Derby has continued to attract nationally prominent horses and trainers because of its traditional dirt track and long homestretch. Sunday’s Family Day will feature the 3rd annual Camel & Ostrich Derby, run between the 4th and 5th and 7th and 8th races respectively. The event will also feature an outdoor barbeque picnic, face painting, games and more. Gates open at 10:30 a.m., racing begins at 1:25 p.m.
Tulips on the Mag Mile: No need to wait for May flowers, because all through April and May you can enjoy Tulips on the Magnificent Mile (http://www.themagnificentmile.com/). The celebration centers around the hundreds of thousands of tulips that bloom along Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Oak Street. Enjoy exclusive offers from restaurants, hotels and shops while meandering along the abundant tulip gardens throughout The Magnificent Mile. In addition, renowned architecture firms will design a one-of-a-kind public art installation highlighting architecture and the City Beautiful movement.
Celebrity Cook-Off: Ladies and gentlemen, start your burners. This Saturday, April 4, from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. is the 2009 True Flavors Celebrity Cook-Off (http://www.truechildhood.org/trueflavors/#chicago) at The Chopping Block. Watch "Top Chef" Season 5 contestants Carla Hall and Stefan Richter compete in a three-course cooking challenge. Teams will have 35 minutes to make a specialty drink, appetizer, main course and dessert with secret ingredients they will only learn of moments before the contest. Includes cocktails and appetizers, plus raffle prizes and a live auction. In addition to the celebrity cooking competition, the evening will feature raffles and a live auction, as well as a reception prior to the event. Price: $150.
Casino Chicago: Baby needs a lot more than a new pair of shoes. Support The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at the 5th Annual Casino Chicago Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament (http://www.cfholdem.com/) and help raise vital funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to put towards researching a cure and treatment to control cystic fibrosis. The Annual Hold'em Poker Tournament and Casino Night is sponsored by Horseshoe Casino and Larry Roesch Family Auto Group, and is the largest charity gaming event in the Midwest. It will be held on Saturday, April 4th, at Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. The first round of the poker tournament and all casino games, including blackjack, roulette and craps, will begin at 7 p.m., with live entertainment featuring a live piano player, a silent and live auction and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s mission moment. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served throughout the evening. Tickets are $500 per poker player, including a non-poker playing guest. The winner of the Casino Chicago tournament will earn a spot in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas in June 2009. All Casino Guest tickets are $100 and include food and open bar.
Illinois Derby: It may not be quite as well known as a certain other state’s race, but the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Race Course (http://www.hawthorneracecourse.com/promotions/illderby.php) is definitely worth a visit. The weekend of festivities run from Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 5, with the the 52nd Running of the Illinois Derby on Saturday, April 4, starting at 1:25 p.m. Events will include a Derby Preview Party on Friday and a Family Day with activities for children on Sunday, April 5. Friday features also include $1 beers, admission (including programs), hotdogs and pretzels. Since becoming a prep race for the Kentucky Derby in 2001, the Illinois Derby has continued to attract nationally prominent horses and trainers because of its traditional dirt track and long homestretch. Sunday’s Family Day will feature the 3rd annual Camel & Ostrich Derby, run between the 4th and 5th and 7th and 8th races respectively. The event will also feature an outdoor barbeque picnic, face painting, games and more. Gates open at 10:30 a.m., racing begins at 1:25 p.m.
Tulips on the Mag Mile: No need to wait for May flowers, because all through April and May you can enjoy Tulips on the Magnificent Mile (http://www.themagnificentmile.com/). The celebration centers around the hundreds of thousands of tulips that bloom along Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Oak Street. Enjoy exclusive offers from restaurants, hotels and shops while meandering along the abundant tulip gardens throughout The Magnificent Mile. In addition, renowned architecture firms will design a one-of-a-kind public art installation highlighting architecture and the City Beautiful movement.
Celebrity Cook-Off: Ladies and gentlemen, start your burners. This Saturday, April 4, from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. is the 2009 True Flavors Celebrity Cook-Off (http://www.truechildhood.org/trueflavors/#chicago) at The Chopping Block. Watch "Top Chef" Season 5 contestants Carla Hall and Stefan Richter compete in a three-course cooking challenge. Teams will have 35 minutes to make a specialty drink, appetizer, main course and dessert with secret ingredients they will only learn of moments before the contest. Includes cocktails and appetizers, plus raffle prizes and a live auction. In addition to the celebrity cooking competition, the evening will feature raffles and a live auction, as well as a reception prior to the event. Price: $150.
Casino Chicago: Baby needs a lot more than a new pair of shoes. Support The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at the 5th Annual Casino Chicago Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament (http://www.cfholdem.com/) and help raise vital funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to put towards researching a cure and treatment to control cystic fibrosis. The Annual Hold'em Poker Tournament and Casino Night is sponsored by Horseshoe Casino and Larry Roesch Family Auto Group, and is the largest charity gaming event in the Midwest. It will be held on Saturday, April 4th, at Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. The first round of the poker tournament and all casino games, including blackjack, roulette and craps, will begin at 7 p.m., with live entertainment featuring a live piano player, a silent and live auction and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s mission moment. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served throughout the evening. Tickets are $500 per poker player, including a non-poker playing guest. The winner of the Casino Chicago tournament will earn a spot in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas in June 2009. All Casino Guest tickets are $100 and include food and open bar.