Girls Run the World!

Watch out! This summer GIRLS really will run the world! On June 9th at 8:30 a.m., 13,000 participants, 3,000 spectators and 500 volunteers will come out to Soldier Field for the Girls on the Run 5k run and walk.

Girls on the Run is a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop confidence, character and healthy lifestyles through running. Girls on the Run-Chicago produces the largest girl-centered 5k races in the country- now there’s a whole lot of girl power! The 5k event is the culminating achievement for these girls who have participated in a 12-week after-school training program that takes place at more than 200 schools across Chicagoland. This program inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a curriculum which creatively integrates running. This year, more than 1,000 coaches will mentor these 7,000 girls.

I’m a volunteer coach at Dewey Elementary School in Evanston and I have to say that GOTR practice is the highlight of my week. The passion that these girls have come to show for the program, for representing their school, for each other, and for themselves is incredibly uplifting and gratifying. Each week we tackle issues stemming from the topics of body image, gossiping, confidence, community service and teamwork- then we get outside and run! The program includes girls of different ages and abilities, yet every runner walks away from practice feeling a sense of overwhelming accomplishment.

I can tell you, my runners can’t wait to show off everything they’ve learned- for them, the 5k event really is their chance to shine. So come out to Soldier Field and see what they’ve got! A pre-race rally that includes GOTR cheers, face painting and tiara decorating will take place as well as a finish line festival with great food, games and sponsor giveaways. American Girl Place will also be hosting a pre-5k dinner on Friday, June 8th at 7:30 p.m.

To register your girl for this event, presented by McDonald’s click here!

Race day registration opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 8:15 a.m.

Hopefully I’ll see you there!!

By: Lauren Neuschel

Tags: 5k, American Girl Place, billy dec, chicago, community service, Dewey Elementary School, District 65, Face painting, festival, food, Girls on the Run, Girls on the Run-Chicago, GOTR, healthy, mcdonalds, non-profit, participants, registration, run, Soldier Field, spectators, teamwork, volunteers, Walk, World

Calling All Pet Lovers & Parade Goers!

Summer is actually here…and I think it’s here to stay! The weather for this Saturday is looking great!  So far…it’s looking like it’ll be warm, sunny and in the 80’s, a perfect day to come to Elmhurst’s 24th Annual Pet Parade! An event put on by the Spring Road Business Association and the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce, this is one fun family filled event that you want to come to!

Get ready to see a line of decked out pets walking down Spring and Vallette Roads. ALL pets are welcomed to march in the parade! But, it doesn’t stop there…

Following the pet parade, enter your pet in the Pet Trick contest which will be in the parking lot of the Silverado Grill (where the parade ends). Who wouldn’t want to see pets do some crazy tricks?!

Awards will be given to Most Obedient Pet, Best Dressed Pet, Best Groomed Pet, Oldest Pet, Most Original Pet Trick and Most Exotic/Unusual Pet. Pets registered by today, May 15^th will be eligible for these awards.

If you still would like to be part of the fun and don’t have a pet, don’t fret! You can deck out your bike and ride it in the parade. To add to the list of fun stuff to do…available for kids: face tattoos, bike decorating and a Moon Bounce all for FREE! Pet portraits will be available too!

The parade begins at the Ahlgrim Funeral Home parking lot at 1pm promptly and check in is at 11:30am so be there or be square!

-Michael S. Iliopoulos

Tags: Ahlgrim Funeral Home, Bikes, Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce, Elmhurst's 24th Annual Pet Parade, Face painting, Face tattoos, Moon Bounce, parade, pet contests, pets, Silverado Grill, Spring, Spring Road Business Association, Vallette Roads

Pints, Pooches & Parties; Oh Mayfest!

I love the city of Chicago!

No, really I do. Especially in the summer time! There’s always something going on, right? Well, if you didn’t know that and find yourself bored on the weekends you can look forward to festival season. It’s quickly approaching and the city and burbs (yes, I know it’s suburbs) offer a variety of activities during the warm months. From the middle of May till the end of September, you can catch something every weekend.

The first totally fun filled neighborhood festival to kick off the season is Mayfest on May 18th. Located in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Lakeview, Mayfest will have plenty of live entertainment including Chicago’s very own 16 Candles!! Not to mention great food and drinks, stuff for the kids to do and a pet parade and pet expo for all you animal lovers out there. Live bands performing will be rockin’ under one of the largest tents around the city! If that won’t get you there… then keep reading!

The people of The Higgins Animal Clinic will be presenting the pet parade and pet expo. Interested in showing off your pooch? Deck it out and show it off! There will be a lot of different categories for competition including Best Trick, Best Dressed and oddly enough, a Pet and Owner Look Alike category. Radio personality, Lisa Dent from US 99.5 and Illinois Lottery personality Linda Kollmeyer will be emceeing this year. All different kinds of pets will be accepted so come one come all!

Chicago Kids Day will be at Mayfest on May 19th. From 10am-2pm, expect the future of America to get a dosage of learning about health and safety, but in a fun and entertaining way. Free food, fun, balloons, face painting and prizes will all be there donated by the generous people in local organizations and sponsors. In addition, free spinal and dental screenings!

The cost to attend the festival is $10 and benefits the Lakeview YMCA, Northside Parents Network, and the Festival Foundation.

So, grab your friends, children and/or pets and head out to the first summer neighborhood festival, Mayfest! Relax, mingle and enjoy the wonderful city culture that Chicago has to offer!

To find out more, email info@starevents.com or call (773) 665-4682

-Michael S. Iliopoulos

Tags: 16 Candles, Best Dressed, Best Trick, chicago, Chicago Kids Day, Dental, dogs, donate, entertainment, Expo, Face painting, festival, Festival Foundation, Illinois Lottery, lakeview, Lina Kollmeyer, Lisa Dent, May, Mayfest, Northside Parents Network, parade, pets, September, Starevents, suburbs, The Higgins Animal Clinic, ymca