Chicago Bike the Drive 2025 set for Sunday of Labor Day weekend | See route, closures
Last Fling, Septemberfest to celebrate weekend in suburbs
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Labor Day weekend in Chicago, the unofficial end of summer, is full of fun, including Bike the Drive on DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
That happens Sunday morning, which means the drive shuts down from 6 a.m. until noon.
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That happens between Bryn Mawr and 57th Street.
Bicyclists have a 30-mile loop to explore the city, in both the north and southbound lanes.
Bike the Drive is set to begin at 6:30 a.m. in Grant Park; it takes place from Hyde Park to Edgewater.
Riders can safely enter DuSable Lake Shore Drive at any one of the following locations: Main Festival in Grant Park, Bryn Mawr Avenue, Fullerton Avenue, Oakwood Boulevard and the Museum of Science and Industry.
Registration is necessary.
Visit bikethedrive.org for more information.
Suburbs celebrate Labor Day weekend
Many communities are having festivals this Labor Day weekend.
It's the last holiday weekend until fall kicks into full gear.
In Naperville, there's a new rule for the 60th anniversary of the Last Fling, which can draw over 300,000 people.
No unaccompanied minors are allowed; adults must be with them.
The Jaycees who run the event say they've had a few incidents of teenagers acting badly in recent years, and they want to make sure there are no major problems.
"We are a group of young people hosting this for the community. We're not babysitters, and we need to make sure everyone is safe," Last Fling Marketing Director Karen Coleman said.
The festival started in the 1960s, patterned after a movie about the end of summer. And it's grown dramatically over the years. The carnival rides are on one end. There is live entertainment on the music stage, and of course there are the food booths.
It's probably the last chance to get carnival food for a while. The Perk and Pickle has been coming for several years.
"We've always done well here. Lots of returning customers like us. We continue to come as long as they'll have us," said Justin Brooks, with Perk and Pickle.
The Last Fling opens its doors Friday evening and ends Monday evening. The end of summer, though, doesn't have to coincide.
It's the 54th year for Schaumburg's Septemberfest. And they are busy setting up the stage. Music is a major part of the annual event. They draw big-name acts to play.
"It's really the big focus. It brings probably 20-25,000 people depending on the bands each night. It's a free show," Septemberfest Music Chair Eric Todd said.
Schaumburg also has a large carnival full of rides and games and a big food area hosting the Taste of Schaumburg. There's also a huge arts and crafts area with nearly 200 vendors showing and selling their products.
"It's a fantastic festival. A lot goes into it and people enjoy it. It comes back every year strong," Schaumburg spokesperson Kossandra Schref said.
