SPRING FORWARD
Spring has sprung! April is here, and with it comes a calendar full of fun activities in Chicago’s western suburbs. This is no April Fools’ Day joke! Keep reading to see for yourself.
You’d be an April fool not to take advantage of all these exciting events going on this month.
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National Walking Day
April 3
April 3 is National Walking Day, but we recommend ditching the treadmill in favor of getting some fresh air in River Forest, where the Forest Preserves of Cook County is headquartered. There, you can check out the Trailside Museum of Natural History, which has native animals, colorful wildflower gardens and information about local wildlife and their habitats. You can even go fishing at Thatcher Pond.
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Solar Eclipse
April 8
A total solar eclipse will pass over North America April 8, and the Cernan Earth & Space Center has you all the information you need to safely view this rare phenomenon, including where to find the special glasses needed to protect your eyes. Solar eclipses only occur when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, completely blocking the sun’s face, causing the sky to darken during the day as if it were dawn or dusk. You truly won’t want to miss this. There won’t be another solar eclipse that spans coast to coast until 2045.
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Party for the Planet
April 20
In honor of Earth Day, April 20, the Brookfield Zoo is hosting a Party for the Planet that’ll be fun and informative – and a great opportunity to do some spring cleaning. If you’ve been looking for a sustainable way to get rid of the old electronics, books, and textiles cluttering your storage spaces, then Party for the Planet is the party for you. Bring them to the event for safe, Earth-friendly recycling and learn what else you can do to support the populations of creatures across the globe. Then head on inside to say hello to the animals.
Mezcal Tasting
April 25
Not all of us were able to spend spring break sipping margaritas on a sunny beach, but the Park District of Oak Park has a cure for that FOMO with a mezcal tasting at historic Cheney Mansion April 25. Those who attend will enjoy the flavors of our national neighbors, drinking high-quality, organic Prolijo Mezcal made sustainably in Oaxaca, Mexico, and eating nibbles from Oak Park’s Maya Del Sol. Get your tickets today.
Location: Oak Park
Reptile Party
April 20
Not all animals are fluffy and adorable, and that’s OK. The scaly, slithering ones deserve appreciation too. Nurture your child’s inner herpetologist at the North Riverside Park Mall’s Reptile Party on April 20. At the event, kids will receive an up-close encounter with prehistoric species of amphibians and reptiles that have existed on our Earth since the days of the dinosaurs under the safe guidance of professional handlers from Crosstown Exotics.
Forest Park Wine Walk
April 20
One of the area’s favorite events is back this month! The Forest Park Spring Wine walk is April 20. Enjoy three different wines at 16 locations over small bites prepared by local restaurants, while strolling through Forest Park’s charming shops and eateries. The $50 ticket price includes the tastings and food, as well as a bottle of wine and a commemorative wine glass.
Location: Forest Park
Community Health and Wellness Fair
April 21
Head over to Oak Park’s Community Recreation Center April 21 for the seventh annual Community Health and Wellness Fair, organized by the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce. Save the date on your calendar and check the event website for more details.
Location: Oak Park
Nature Walk of Zoo Woods
April 30
Did you know the same landscape architect that designed Central Park co-designed the village of Riverside? Celebrate the creative genius of Fredrick Law Olmsted and the beautiful community he created in Illinois by taking a nature walk of Zoo Woods on April 30, guided by John Kolar, master steward of the Forest Preserves of Cook County and member of the Fredrick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside.
Location: Riverside