Park Ridge Farmers Market opens May 23, and Market After Dark returns May 30, July 25 and Aug. 22

Market After Dark, located in the same parking lot location as the Park Ridge Farmer’s Market (15 Prairie Ave.), was a huge success in its first two years, and the Chamber of Commerce committee is hard at work at adding even more options to the schedule for the third go-round.

Featuring a variety of food and art vendors, mixed with small-business pop-ups, live entertainment and a large, handpicked rotation of local guest breweries, wineries and distilleries, this event is the type of summer street party everyone can enjoy.

Market After Dark will again take place from 4:30-9:30 p.m. one Saturday per month — this year’s dates are May 30, July 25 and August. 22 — and tasting passes will be available for the various distilleries, breweries and wineries. For more information and updates, visit MarketAfterDark.com

The Farmers’ Market, meanwhile, remains the ideal way to casually kickstart your summer and fall weekends here in town. Take time to peruse a wonderful selection of fruits, vegetables and an array of other products from more than 40 vendors from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. rain or shine every Saturday from May 23 through the end of October. Located at 15 Prairie Avenue between Main and Garden. ParkRidgeFarmersMarket.com

Rita’s Italian Ice opened March 1 and celebrates spring with a free day of Italian ice March 20

Most people think the start of spring is signaled by a few robins bouncing around in the yard or March Madness on TV, but for us it’s the opening of Rita’s Italian Ice on Northwest Highway (March 1). And to celebrate the official first day of spring, Rita’s, as always, will be giving out free ice to customers on Friday, March 20.

A popular destination for a quick treat, especially on summer evenings after baseball and softball games or swimming in Hinkley Park, Rita’s offers up to 16 different Italian ice options and five frozen custard flavors. Several flavors get rotated out every few weeks, which makes each visit feel like a new experience. Insider’s tip: Break out of the norm and try a thick Concrete with some tasty toppings or a Blendini, which is a blend of creamy frozen custard and Italian ice.

157 N. Northwest Highway in Park Ridge. RitasIce.com

Bunny visits and egg hunts with the Park Ridge Park District March 21

Spring bunny visit and bunny baskets — On Saturday, March 21, the Easter bunny will be at Maine Park and would love if you came to visit. The bunny has a special bunny basket for your little ones filled with a special craft, treats, bunny ears, 15 pre-filled eggs to have an egg hunt at home, and other fun surprises. Sign up for a time slot (9-10 a.m., 10:15-11:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) to have a five-minute visit with the bunny, take a photo and pick up your basket.

Later that day, grab your basket for an earth-friendly egg hunt at Maine Park, where you can hunt for colored wooden eggs that can be turned in for candy and other prizes. The hunt will be broken up by age groups, held outside and start promptly at 1:30. For more info, visit PRParks.org

Nowhere to Wear It Fundraiser & Silent Auction to benefit the Maine South Parents’ Scholarship Club April 17

“If you’ve ever said, ‘When would I ever wear this?’ — you should definitely break it out and wear it to this entertaining event at Harp & Fiddle benefiting the Maine South Parents’ Scholarship Club. The party runs from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, April 17.

Your $75 ticket ($90 at the door) includes a live band, heavy appetizers, two drink tickets, a silent auction and a whole bunch of interesting, Instagram-worthy outfits.

The silent auction opens online on Monday, March 30 and closes at 9 p.m. the night of the fundraiser. Bidding is open to anyone, regardless of attendance, and we encourage you to share the auction site with friends and family.

For more info and registration, visit MSParentsScholarshipClub.org/events

Painting for Dreams event benefiting Have Dreams April 19

Time to bring out your inner artist for the third annual Painting for Dreams event on Sunday, July 19 from 2-4 p.m. Your ticket includes everything you need to create your own masterpiece (canvas, paints, brushes and instructions from professional artists from the Brickton Art Center). Cella Sweets and Meaningful Muffins will provide lemonade and baked goods, and there will be a raffle with plenty of great prizes.

The best part is, 100% of the proceeds benefit Have Dreams, which is celebrating 30 years of offering one-on-one counseling to individuals on the autism spectrum as well as parents, caregivers, family members and partners of those with ASD.

The event will be held at Redeemer (1006 Gillick Street in Park Ridge). Register now at HaveDreams.org

Annual Friends of the Parks Bike Sale collection day is April 11, sale is April 25

The big annual bike sale put on by the Friends of the Parks here in Park Ridge is coming up, with a collection day for used bikes on Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m.-noon and the sale being held on Saturday, April 25. The pre-sale for people who already donated a bike is from 9-10 a.m., and the public sale will be held from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Both days will be held at the Centennial Park Pool (100 S. Western Ave. in Park Ridge). Questions? Contact Info@prfriendsoftheparks.org

Park Ridge Spring Wine Walk April 26

The annual Spring Wine Walk from the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce is coming up Sunday, April 26 from noon-4 p.m.
Enjoy wine tastings at more than 20 pouring stations hosted by member merchants, restaurants and businesses throughout Uptown. Guests will receive a special wine glass to be used at each pouring location, a goodie bag and a chance to win a host of fabulous prizes at the post-party. Visit ParkRidgeChamber.org for more info and to register.

Patina Wine Bar, now open for lunch seven days a week, offers a wine club with fantastic member benefits

Sure, you’ve enjoyed their delicious small bites, impressive wine selection and cozy vibes, but were you aware that Patina Wine Bar is now open for lunch seven days a week? Swing in as early as noon from Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. on Saturdays. Feel free to bring the laptop and get some work done too (yes, they have coffee as well).

Also, check out their popular wine club, with offers like a $25.99 one-bottle plan, where members receive a choice of one hand-selected bottle and a complimentary wine flight each month, 10% off retail wines, 15% off private cellar wines while dining in, and early access to private wine dinners and events. For $45.99 each month, you receive the same discounts but with two bottles and two wine flights included.

112 S. Prospect Ave. in Park Ridge. PatinaWineBar.com

Deals in the area

One of the better happy hours in the area belongs to Tavern on the Point in Edison Park. So many weekday food and drink specials from 3-6 p.m. like half-off select appetizers (hummus, Irish nachos, flatbread pizzas, spinach and artichoke dip, elote dip, etc.), $5 house wine, $15 domestic buckets and $8 cocktails. And did we mention kids eat free during that time frame with the purchase of an adult entree?

Crust Brewing in Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district has a great weekday happy hour from 4–5 p.m. that includes $5 Crust draft beers, $10 pizzas and $7 draft wines.