As a transplant from Chicago to Las Vegas, I seem to miss the Windy City the most in the summer. Don't get me wrong-I love Las Vegas, but I have so many memories of Chicago through the years from childhood to becoming an adult. Then I got to relive fun in the summer with my children and grandchildren. Let’s
walk and take a nostalgic tour of places and events that reflect memories of my summertime fun
in Chicago.
My first
stop is Riverview Park, 74 acres of fun located along the Chicago River.
Riverview opened in 1904 with three attractions-a small roller coaster, a
carousel and shoot-the-chute. I'll never forget the frightening rides on the Bobs, a lightening fast roller coaster. And one of the few memories of my father is taking a twirl with him on the gigantic Ferris Wheel at Riverview Park. I won't forget the cotton candy and pop corn or the crazy antics of my friends. When the park closed on Sept. 1, 1967, it offered
120 rides, including six roller coasters, a parachute jump and rockets. Fun-filled
days at Riverview are something that we still talk about and enjoy.
Gladys
Luncheonette, the next stop on our tour, is “one of the most popular "soul
food" restaurants in the Midwest It was known for its delicious fried
chicken, smothered pork chops, peach cobbler, and other down home, southern
delicacies”. The "melt-in-your-mouth" biscuits were a meal in
themselves. While a list of famous folks dined at Gladys’, many of my family members and friends spent an afternoon or evening enjoying the food and
fellowship that this special location offered.
When
speaking of food, who can forget the Taste of Chicago, the city’s premier
outdoor food festival showcasing the diversity of Chicago's dining community.
Deep dish pizza, Vienna hot dogs, Carson's Ribs and don't forget the cheesecake- Taste of Chicago has an array of culinary delights, all located in one place. This year’s event was the 33rd annual offering and 1.5 million
people attended. Wish I’d been there.
Our
final stop is at the Bud Billiken Parade. This Chicago tradition started in
1929 when Chicago Defender newspaper founder Robert S. Abbott arranged an
outing at a South Side park for youth who sold his newspaper. The name, Bud
Billiken, was inspired by a figurine that Abbott kept on his desk. This year
marked the 84Th annual parade which featured bands, drill teams,
floats, dance teams and car clubs. Notable celebrities were actively involved
in the festivities. At the end of the parade route, there was a picnic with
entertainment, food and music. I always remember the strutting majorettes
and first class marching bands of days gone by. No one ever did a better dance step in the parade than my granddaughter and no family ever had more pride in a performance than we had in hers.
Well. I
hope you enjoyed my mini-tour of Chicago fun spots. Just remember that many of us share these
wonderful memories and we can create new ones as we
celebrate our Chicago roots through our collective memories.
