So you’re in Chicago and want to go pumpkin picking? Awesome! We have assembled a short list of places that have either a pick-your-own pumpkin farm or where you can buy direct from the farmers.

Some are far off and some are close, but most are located in the ‘burbs. As usual call first for hours of operation. First up is…

1. Siegel Cottonwood Farm (in Crest Hill) – Here you’ll find the annual Pumpkin Fest, which from the looks of it is pretty HUGE. Everything from hay rides to pumpkin patches to VeggieLand, and a corn and straw maize await you and your family. Lots to see and do in this what could turn out to be your new family Fall tradition.

Open from September 26th to November 1st admission is $12 for adults and those over 3 years of age, kids under 2 are free. Parking is also FREE.

Phone#: 1-800-304-3276

2. Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm (in Homer Glen) – This one is also pretty popular and has lots of activities and events as part of its own Pumpkin Fest including Pig Races, life size “Essie and Bessie” simulated milking cows, a crazy giant corn maize, train ride, flying frogs ride (whoa!), and lots more. A rocking good time for sure if you’re in the south burbs, as this one is found in Homer Glen.

Open daily from September 26th to October 31st.

Phone # 1-708-301-3276

Other notable pumpkin farms are below, each one is different and located throughout the state of Illinois. Visit their websites or call for more information.

Hope you and your family have a BLAST picking pumpkins in Chicago. Enjoy!

• Goebbert’s (in Lincolnshire South Barrington)
• Scarecrow Fest (in St. Charles)
• Children’s Farm (in Palos Park)

Pumpkins make great soup, pie, and other delicious comfort foods and there’s no better time in Chicago to buy fresh pumpkins than now!

P.S. Be sure to take advantage of the $1.oo off coupon some farms have on their websites.

Looking for something outdoors to do this weekend? If so. Check out the 2009 Edison Park Fest which begins today and lasts till Sunday, August 16th.

This cool neighborhood festival will showcase awesome local bands, delicious food from many area restaurants, a balloon animal jamboree, a bingo bonanza magic show, a Tae Kwon Do demonstration, carnival rides, beer garden, craft fair, business expo, a dog show, a parade and lots more.

Plenty of fun for the whole family awaits this weekend in downtown Edison Park. Whether live entertainment is your thing or keeping the kids happy and busy is more to your liking, take a drive north this weekend.

Don’t forget to bring some sunscreen and lots of water, as this weekend is going to be a hot one.

Edison Park Fest 2009
August 14th – August 16th
(Corner of Olmsted & Overhill)
Chicago, IL
(773) 631-0063
www.edisonpark.com/epfest

Summer is almost over, but there is still plenty of time to get some theme park fun scheduled in before Great America closes up for the season.

If you have yet to pay a visit to Six Flags Chicago, now is a great time as you can score some park tickets for only $34.99 – that is a savings of $20 per ticket, as tickets at the gate are normally a whopping $54.99 per adult. Yikes!!!

But….

If you hop online at the Six Flags Chicago website, you can order park tickets in advance at the reduced rate of $34.99 per adult, and remember that your admission also includes access to the new Hurricane Harbor water park next door. It’s easy to purchase tickets on the website, all you need is your handy dandy credit card and your tickets can be printed at home. How awesome to know you can avoid the dreadfully (long) ticket lines.

There is lots to see and do at Six Flags Chicago, and many ways to make a family trip out of the day. Start with a breakfast session at a nearby restaurant and work your way up to Superman, the most exciting and thrilling roller coaster ride at Six Flags.

Better hurry up though cause there aren’t many sunny days left in Chicago.

images via WikiMedia

image via Allison in Neverland

This weekend is the Taste of Westmont, an annual revelry of local food, music, and fun.

If you didn’t have your fill at the Taste of Chicago, try your taste buds at this fair. As a vegetarian, i’m always on the lookout for the goods at various fairs and festivals – as this is a fantastic way to sample new foods. I won’t be attending this year, but this is a great local food fair and music festival that you should know about. As for me, I’ll try and make it next year.

Expect a good crowd and maybe even some Sunshine.

If you’re attending, feel free to report back what was your fave dish, merchant, activity or band.

Taste of Westmont
Downtown Westmont on Cass Avenue
July 10, 11, 12 2009

via Discover Dupage

One of those delights is a Cubs game in Wrigleyville. It really doesn’t matter whether the Cubs win or lose, it’s always fun just to make it out to Wrigley Field. But if you’re planning to leave Chicago for your Summer staycation, and want a memento to tidy you over, this Chicago Wrigleyville t-shirt should do the trick.

Show your Chicago Cubs pride loud and clear with this vintage jersey t-shirt that sports a Chicago Wrigleyville logo across the front chest.

Best part?

The cool thing about this tee is that it’s available locally at Strange Cargo on Clark street or online via their website. If you buy online, shipping is only $5 no matter how many you buy.

Strange Cargo
3448 N Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60657

Toll-free phone: 1-800-572-2746
(Mon-Fri 11:30 AM to 6:00 PM Central Time)

Vintage Chicago Sports T-shirts

image via mager leagues

There is nothing more Chicagoan than to take in a Chicago Cubs ballgame when in the city. But how do you score some great seats? Below we present 10 easy ways to score Chicago Cubs tickets.

10. Box Office – If you arrive early enough and its not a big game, you can easily score some same day tickets at the Cubs Box Office.
9. Friends - Ask your social network – call, email, text, telegram or hit Facebook, Myspace and Twitter – and let your peeps, followers, and facebookers know you have an ABP out on a pair of Cubbies tickets. Someone might have tickets they can’t use. (hey, you never know)
8. Enter a Contest – Type in Google “chicago cubs tickets giveaway” or “chicago cubs tickets contest” – if there’s a blogger out there hosting a ticket freebie, it should come up in search results. Enter and you might score some (free tickets). WeeHoo!!!
6. Stub Hub – an established online ticket broker with a massive ticket inventory, and if you have some tickets you want to sell – there is also a marketplace here where customers can buy or sell. Nice site!
5. Cubs.MLB.com – this is the official Cubs ticket site, you’ll find lots of extras here such as a roster of game dates, player info, Chicago Cubs merchandise and loads more. A must visit by any true Cubbies fan.
4. Tickets Now – another reputable online ticket broker who has good seats on a variety of dates. Worth a try.
3. eBay – The grand-daddy of all online marketplaces, eBay has sport tickets as well. Search by zip code, price, Buy It Now, or ending soon – this is another great avenue for easy tickets.
2. Chicago Craigslist – This could have easily made it as the top method to easily score some tickets – but it will have to sit in the number 2 spot for now. Day or night this place is open for you to browse and see what is up for grabs. Be sure to look at the “tickets” and “sporting” sections, under the FOR SALE category. You will easily find Cubs listings here.

And the number 1 easy method to score some Chicago Cubs tickets is:

1. Scalpers – Yes! In time of desperation and need, these punks will have the goods. We’re not endorsing or encouraging the use of scalpers, simply letting you know that this is a method some people use to EASILY score some Cubs tickets. I said easy – not cheap! You will pay a premium here. But to avoid having to go this route (and paying through the nose) – search early, a/k/a don’t wait till the last minute.

Hope you find some great seats! (like the fellas below)

image via icyFrance

This free events guide should provide you (and your family) with a number of ideas on where to go. From free museum days to free ice skating, this is a great guide to fun in Chicago.

It is so cold in Chicago right now, that i’m sure there are make-shift skating rinks everywhere. But the official skating rink in Chicago (open to the general public) is at Millennium Park and this is one of the more inexpensive activities of winter time. Great for a date, a family trip, a weekend dinner, etc.

Neat thing is you can skate for free, all you pay for is skate rental. The Chicago skating rink is open till March 15th and it is completely free if you bring your own skates.

Open everyday from 10am to 10pm, what better way to get those buns moving and see the sights and sounds of the fabulous Second City.

Image via Chicago Weekend Fun

The coupon is courtesy of the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and the coupon is essentially an invite to all Chicagoan’s to visit (and dine) in the historic and beautiful area known as Chinatown. Not too mention the celebration of the Chinese New Year.

There is lots to see and do, from discovering the Chicago Chinatown Gate conceived back in 1975 to the real deal Chinese restaurants and loads of cute shops. Your visit won’t disappoint. As for the 15% off limited time coupon, you have over 10 restaurants to choose from when you visit.

The printable Chicago Chinatown coupon is good through February 13th. Enjoy!

WRITERS WANTED: If you live in or near Chicago have a handy dandy camera and would like to see your name in print on the interwebs, then shoot Missy an email and let her know you would LOVE to write for the Groovy Chicago blog.

via (Visit Chicago) on Twitter

Chicago Mayor – Richard Daley

The Chicago Huff Portal will cover everything from Chicago sports to Chicago politics, news, shopping, etc. In essense what i’ve been doing here at my little Chicago blog. Some might say it is direct competition, but i don’t view it that way.

I believe that this NEW! trend, will only bring more visibility to local bloggers, and city blogs in general. A  good thing? Yes, as I believe competition always makes everyone step it up a notch.

I plan to update this blog more, and dedicate much needed time to it, in the next coming weeks. Or perhaps put up a big FOR SALE sign on it. I’m not sure yet. Will let you know.

Huff Chicago Slogan A Miss

Getting back to Huff Chicago, i notice that they use the following slogan:“The Internet Newspaper – News Blogs Videos Community”. Not exactly catchy, is it? That slogan needs a MAJOR overhaul. Actually it might fit quite well, as the site feels very mainstream and traditional, unlike a blog.

Huff Chicago Becomes A Source For Smaller Chicago Bloggers

However as HyperLocal Blogger mentioned recently, with the advent of local blogs from big players like The Huffington Post, smaller bloggers like us will have a NEW! source from which to glean story ideas, and blog post fodder.

Final Thoughts

Is it worth your time to visit the NEW! Chicago portal at Huffington Post? Yes, it is. Where else are you going to be able to read (relevant and fun) blog posts from local Chicago faves, like John Cusack.

Go have a look now!

Essentially they seem to be looking for someone who will cover the games and also provide commentary on the team. Luckily there is always something to talk about when it comes to the Chicago Cubs franchise.

I have sent in my app. I’m always on the lookout for additional Chicago blogging gigs.

If you’re looking for a blogging job, Craigslist is an excellent resource with loads of opportunities. And there is a niche section for just about every city and state. Start your search there. Good luck.