Welcome Back, Summertime!
By: Jonathan Jones 05/23/2013
Memorial Day Weekend is upon us, and for everyone who has been waiting for a few reasons to head outside, summer starts now! So dust off your favorite pair of flip-flops, because this weekend we are welcoming back some of our favorite summer past times.
Photo by Eddie Soto
Ringing in its 46th year as one of the best hot-dog-stands in the Chicago Area, Miller’s Dog N Suds is welcoming summer back with style at their season opening Car Nite on Saturday, May 25. The first 100 classic cars will receive a dash plaque and everyone will their favorite 50s and 60s songs, performed by Scotty Hicks 39 & Holding from 6:30-9:30.
Illinois State Beach in Zion If your inner beach bum has awoken from its winter slumber, and is looking for some sand and sun, then head out to Illinois State Beach in Zion where you’re bound to find the perfect spot to celebrate the start of
summer with your friends and family. It might be little too chilly to go swimming this early in the season, so bring some firewood and keep a look out for a designated fire pit to cook up your first bonfire of the summer. Be sure to check beach advisories, through Lake County's Swimcast, throughout the season so you can check out the water quality before you get there!
Hurricane Harbor Opens at Six Flags Great America This weekend, Six Flags Great America will welcome its 100,000,000th guest. That’s one-
hundred-million. And once those dog days of summer start rolling in, it’s going to be really great to know that Hurricane Harbor is nearby. In honor of Memorial Day, they are also holding a special ceremony on Monday, May 26, including the posting of the colors by the U.S. Army, and offering a 20% discount on tickets for military personnel with a valid I.D.
1st Drag Boat Races at Thunder on the Chain at Blarney Island on the Chain O' Lakes If you’re looking for a nice, quiet way to relax, then this event is not for you! Start your boat
engine, or hop aboard the shuttle to Blarney’s Island for some more high paced entertainment. Professional drivers and enthusiasts alike will be revving up when they face off for the first of 16 weekly drag boat races on Thursday, May 30th. With great food, drinks and DJ dance parties, this might be your perfect start to your summer…but leave the kids at home.
Canoeing at Independence Grove in Libertyville 
They make boating easy at Independence Grove. A Canoe rental here is only $8 for 2 hours, and $4 for each hour after that. Canoeing is fun if you’re looking to ring in summer with a family adventure, a workout, or a peaceful escape. You might even want to bring your fishing pole because this lake used to be a quarry, so it has plenty of underwater islands where that epic Musky or northern pike fishing story might just be waiting for you. Just make sure to bring your fishing license! Water not your thing? You can also rent bikes by the hour.
