I love a good party, and I’m so flattered that my city is throwing so many bashes for my birthday weekend! Check out
this list:
How did they know I
love ethnic festivals?
There are a crazy number of these babies this weekend. Take a look:

*Six Oktoberfests – unfamiliar with Oktoberfest? The German festival of beer, brats and Oompah bands. Men in Lederhosen.

*Turkish Festival -- Third-annual fest features Whirling Dervishes, folk dance performances, Turkish fashion and food vendors offering dolma (vegetable-wrapped rice dishes), kebaps, borek (pastry), kofte (Turkish meatballs) and more.

*Mexican Independence Day Festival -- Celebrate the country's most popular national holiday with live Latin music, ethnic cuisine, arts and crafts, kids' activities and carnival rides.

*Celtic Fest Chicago -- The ninth annual salute to Celtic music, dance and traditions features live entertainment on 10 stages, beer, food, arts and crafts vendors and more. Performers include Ronan Tynan (Saturday), Rachel Barton (Saturday), The Tannahill Weavers (Saturday), Chicago Rovers (Saturday), Liz Carroll (Sunday), Old Blind Dogs (Sunday) and others. Also, catch the Scottish Heavy Athletics Competition at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

*Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival -- A dragon and lion dance, lantern show, Japanese drums, Chinese pop songs and kung fu performances mark the end of the traditional harvest season.

*Taste of Romania -- Annual rotisserie cookout of pigs, lamb, sausages, ox and stuffed cabbage. Includes live music, folk dancers, grape stompings and free grape juice during festival hours.

*Taste of Central Europe (they couldn’t invite Romania?) --
Live music and dancing features performances by Toborzo, Vanderlaci, Spindoulous, Hyrni and Veselica. Also includes ethnic food and drinks from local vendors. An after-party follows at Gilhooley's Grande Saloon.

There are also festivals celebrating food and wine, like: Naperville Wine Festival; Garlic Festivale; Eli’s Cheesecake Festival; The Old Town Wine Crush; Lincoln Square Apple Fest.
There are a lot of music festivals as well, including the World Music Festival. But none sound quite as fun as Hank Fest: the fourth annual outdoor celebration that honors the life and music of Hank Williams Sr. with more than 30 bands, a jambalaya tent and cook-off; and more.

Musicians of any skill level can take park in Hank's Army Open-Air Unplugged Jam each day from noon-2 p.m. and get in for half-price.



I don’t know how they’ll be able to top this next year. I do enjoy fireworks, Mr. Daley.