Goorin Bros. Chicago Sample Sale

Hold onto your hats, Chicago!  Or better yet…grab a new one.  You’re favorite West Coast hatters, Goorin Bros. are hosting their first ever Chicago Sample Sale.  Staying true to where their Chicago magic started 3 years ago, they are hosting this event at an off-site location in the city’s trendy Wicker Park neighborhood.

This three day event will boast an array of hats, at unbeatable prices!  You can purchase fedoras, baseball caps, Ivy’s, and cloches for LESS than 20 bucks!

Goorin Bros. is a fourth generation, family-owned company.  In 1895, master craftsman Cassel Goorin sold his first hat off a horse cart in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Cassel’s sons – the Goorin Brothers – continued the tradition of hat making when they moved the family business to San Francisco in 1949.  Today, Goorin Brothers is led by Cassel’s great grandson who remains dedicated to the art of bold hat making by crafting hats inspired by San Francisco’s rich artistic community.

Goorin has two Chicago outposts; it’s original in Wicker Park  and its sister store in Lakeview have become a destinations for cult followers and new hat wearers alike.  Whether you’re a die-hard fan, or a just a little hat curious, this sample sale is the perfect way to stock up on Goorin goodness for all seasons.

Check it out at Mazi Dance Fitness Studio on:

Friday July 20th 3pm-7pm

Saturday July 21st 11am-7pm

Sunday July 22nd 11am-7pm

Tags: 1895, baseball caps, cassel goorin, chicago sample sale, family-owned, fedoras, goorin bros., hat making, lakeview, mazi dance fitness studio, off-site, Pennsylvania, pittsburgh, san francisco, seasons, west coast, wicker park

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

Take a Plunge Into Lake Michigan This January!

Mark your calendars and check the temperature for the upcoming 11^th annual Lakeview Polar Plunge! You may think it’s crazy taking a diving into the lake at Oak Street Beach at the end of January, but it’s to help two families in need and other people will be doing it too! Participants should arrive at the beach by 11am because at Noon you will be running towards the water for you’re plunge!

When you’re finally done with your dip, I don’t think you’re going to want to stay in there and “get use to the water” so you can warm up at the after-party at Sedgwick’s Bar & Grill. For just $30.00 you will get all-you-can-drink beer, liquor, wine, and appetizers and a raffle with prizes from local companies!

If you’re thinking about taking the plunge here are some helpful hints and if you’re not you should come cheer others on!

-Rhea Drougas

Tags: January, lake michigan, lakeview, oak street beach, plunge, polar bear, polar bear club, sedgewick bar and grill