Best Bets for June: Cook County Edition

PAW-RADING THROUGH THE STREETS OF LA GRANGE

Watch pets march the streets of La Grange paw by paw at the 64th annual La Grange Pet Parade on Saturday, June 5. Marching bands, floats and clowns also can be spotted in the pet parade, with this year’s theme being Champions on Parade. The parade route begins at La Grange Road and Cossitt Avenue and ends at the Lyons Township High School. Following the parade, there will be more family fun with carnival rides and games at the Ahhh! La Grange Carnival.
WHEN 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 5
WHERE Along La Grange Road, La Grange
COST: Free
CONTACT La Grange Pet Parade Office, (708) 352-7079, www.lgpetparade.org

Reilly Meagher of La Grange and her pug dogs (left) "Mazie" and "Lily" recieve first place during the annual La Grange pet parade Saturday May 30, 2009. They drew attention traveling as a team having a tea party on a wagon. FILE PHOTO
 

GATHERING ON THE GREEN
The Western Springs Business Association hosts its most popular summer event, Gathering on the Green, at the Water Tower. The community event will feature amusement rides, delicacies from local vendors and musical entertainment. Proceeds from Gathering on the Green will go toward the WSBA Scholarship Fund.
WHEN 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 25
WHERE Old Historical Water Tower, 914 Hillgrove Ave., Western Springs
COST: Free
CONTACT Western Springs Recreation Department, (708) 246-9070, www.wsparks.org

TOUR THE ‘BIRTH’ OF CHICAGO
Tour one of the only two national historic sites thought to be in existence in Illinois. The Chicago Portage National Historic Site is offering free public tours Saturday, June 5. Explore the birth of Chicago from the geologic beginning of the Portage to how it is still functioning in Chicago today. Tours are about a half mile in length and will proceed rain or shine. Meet at the monumental statue of Joliet and Marquette.
WHEN 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 5
WHERE Chicago Portage National Historic Site, 4800 S. Harlem, Lyons
COST: Free
CONTACT Friends of the Chicago Portage, (773) 590-0710, www.chicagoportage.org

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COOKIE
Cookie Cockatoo at Brookfield Zoo turns another year older, and he’ll make a special birthday appearance. Help celebrate Cookie’s 77th birthday on Saturday, June 26, with a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” and by signing a giant birthday card to the cockatoo. Cookie is the only animal at the zoo who is from the original collection dating to the zoo’s 1934 opening. Festivities will take place at the Perching Bird House.
WHEN 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 26
WHERE Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield
COST: $13.50 for adults, $9.50 for seniors 65 and older and children ages 3 to 11
CONTACT Brookfield Zoo, (708) 688-8000, www.czs.org

LADY SINGS THE BLUES AT FITZGERALD’S
On Friday, June 18, Shemekia Copeland sings the blues at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn. The blues singer has opened for the Rolling Stones and headlined the Chicago Blues Festival, among numerous others around the world. Copeland has shared the stage with the likes of Buddy Guy, B.B. King and Taj Mahal.
WHEN 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 18
WHERE FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn 
COST: $15 in advance or $20 at the door
CONTACT FitzGerald’s, (708) 788-2118, www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com