Save the Date! October 26 - Chicago French Market's Great Pumpkin Party!

 

The Chicago French Market will be hosting its annual Great Pumpkin Party sponsored by the Chicago French Market, Fulton River District Association and Concenta. Children and parents alike get into the act for an unforgettable and safe Halloween experience. The day begins with a pumpkin decorating activity for the kids, followed by a market-wide costume parade and best costume contest that will be judged by age group, followed by market wide trick or treating. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. Reservations are recommended to assure that the Market will have enough pumpkins on hand to decorate. RSVP to parents@fultonriverdistrict.org

The Great Pumpkin Party Halloween celebration at Chicago French Market

The Chicago French Market will be hosting its annual salute to Halloween with The Great Pumpkin Party.  Bring the children to Chicago French Market 10-12:30 p.m Saturday October 27 for the festivities.  The day will begin with pumpkin decorating for the kids followed by a market- wide costume parade. Afterwards, “Best Costume” awards will be given to youngsters in a contest that will be judged by age group.  To end the morning’s Halloween activities, there will be market-wide trick or treating.  

Please RSVP with the number of pumpkins you would like to decorate by emailing, parents@fultonriverdistrict.org

The Great Pumpkin Party is being sponsored by Chicago French Market, Fulton River District Association and Concentra.

Halloween at the Chicago French Market

Over 200 children celebrated Halloween at the Chicago French Market Saturday, October 29

Today may be Halloween, but 100s of kids celebrated this past Saturday at the Chicago French Market. Teaming with the Fulton River District Parent Networking Group, more than 200 people gathered for to enjoy a family-fun-filled Saturday afternoon.

People came from near and far, many bringing aunts and grandparents, to enjoy pumpkin decorating with stick-on color-form faces for the younger guests and traditional carving for the older ones. 

James, Rebecca, Dan and Elizabeth Broderick (Lincoln Park)

Costumed children ranged from silly to scary – the most popular being princes, mermaids, dinosaurs, animals and even a number of law enforcement officers.

Families mingled, enjoyed cider and cookies and admired the array of creative and fun Halloween costumes. Concentra hosted a spinning game contest, distributed helium balloons and provided families with information about their services.

Following the pumpkin decorating, French Market vendors provided treats for families meandering throughout the market. 

Madelin Callahan (Lakeview) of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine with Kate Wollin (Fulton River District)

Even without a holiday, the French Market is a treat, but the Pumpkin Party made the day an extra special one. All the families seemed to have a lovely time at Saturday’s event and agreed that it was a great way to start celebrating Halloween.

Carter Holland (West Loop) really enjoyed his treats from the French Market

Hi-resolution photos may be purchased here: Chicago French Market Halloween Photos

Halloween Strip Steak Special at Restaurant Michael, Oct. 31

Trick or Treat?

Restaurant Michael's weekly special will be a Halloween "Treat" on Sunday, October 31. It won't be scary or spooky, but it's a little different that Michael's normal specials. This Sunday, enjoy a 14 oz. Center Cut, Prime New York Strip Steak, grilled and served with a caramelized shallot and garlic twice-based potato, baby French green beans and the classic Sauce Bernaise This beautiful steak is $29 per person.

As always, remember to indicate your preference for the steak special when making your dinner reservation. Call to reserve your steak at (847) 441-3100.

Restaurant Michael is located at 64 Green Bay Rd. in Winnetka, Ill. The restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday through Thursday, 5:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 4:30 p.m. -9 p.m. Learn more about Restaurant Michael and chef Michael Lachowicz at http://www.restaurantmichael.com/. Tweet Michael at @RestoMichael

Have a safe and happy Halloween weekend!

Spooky Halloween Drink Deals in Chicago

Finish October with a Halloween costume and drink deals to celebrate this Saturday, October 31 in Chicago. First, visit Birch River Grill in Arlington Heights, which celebrates Halloween with spooky drink specials offered only on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31. Specials include a Vampire’s Kiss, Grey Goose Vodka, Sapphire Gin, Patron Tequila, dry vermouth, tomato juice and a pinch of salt ($9); the Gremlin, Crown Royal and lime juice ($6); Devil’s Advocate, Bacardi Limon, Triple Sec, sour mix, cranberry juice and a splash of grenadine ($6); and Wicked Witch Cider, Captain Morgan and hot apple cider ($6).

Then, head to the West Loop for Dine's Halloween deals. Sip on $3 Domestic Beer Bottles (Bud, Bud Light, Miller Lite, MGD, Coors Light), $3.50 Warsteiner Bottles, $2 Hamm’s Cans, or try the special $5 dollar shots, the Pumpkin Pie Shot or the Vampire Shot.

For more information on Birch River Grill (75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights; 847-427-4242), visit http://www.birchrivergrill.com/. Follow Birch River Grill on Twitter and become a Facebook Fan.

For more information on Dine (733 W. Madison St., Chicago; 312-602-2100), visit http://www.dinerestaurant.com/. Become a Fan on Dine on Facebook.

Photo: Getty Images

Halloween Kids Party @ Green City Market

The annual Halloween Kids Party at Green City Market takes place 9 a.m. to noon next Saturday, October 31. Festivities kick off with a special Halloween-themed Kids Tour of Green City Market followed by a 9:30 a.m. sample tastings prepared especially for kids by some of the best pastry chefs in Chicago: Tony Galzin (MK), Toni Roberts (C-House), Nathaniel Meads (Fritz Pastry), Mindy Segal (Hot Chocolate), Elissa Narow (Chef Instructor, The Illinois Institute of Art Chicago) and Allison Levitt (Mado).

A Kids Costume Contest begins at 11 a.m., judged by Joel Espe from Hawks Hill Ranch and Green City Market's Lyle Allen. There will be a Club Sprouts kids cooking demo by Courtney Treutelaar from Common Threads at 11:30 a.m. The Bristol chef Chris Pandel provides a chef demo for adults at 10:30 a.m. For additional information, email Green City Market at admin@chicagogreencitymarket.org.

Don't forget...

Green City Market moves to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon Drive) on November 7, 2009  and will run every Wednesday and Saturday through December 23 (in the outdoor tent).  There will be no market on November 28. It moves inside to the South Gallery on January 16, and runs bi-weekly on Saturdays, February 13, February 27, March 13, March 27, April 10 and April 24, 2010. Winter schedule times are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.