Fall in Chicago means the return of our favorite shopping and family-friendly festivals. This weekend, the Grand Art and Design Festival is back, bringing us its amazing array of home and garden goods. Plus, this year the fest expands its offerings with new vendors, including local artisans and crafters as well as clothing and jewelry designers. You can gussy up your garden and browse the finest furnishings for your home while also snagging some bling or getting a head start on holiday shopping. While you’re there, refuel on food truck fare from vendors like Da Lobster and hot dog–slinging Kate & Jan, and tune in for live bluegrass, honky-tonk and country music programmed by The Hideout. Yee haw.
Families can also get festive at the nearby Harvest Festival at the Christy Webber Farm and Garden Center, running alongside Grand Art and Design. Hitch a hay ride, paint pumpkins or make fuzzy friends at the petting zoo.
But don’t leave before stopping by the Time Out Chicago tent, featuring doodlebooth.me artist Jana Kinsman. Stop by between 3:30 and 6pm Saturday or 1 and 4:30pm Sunday to get your own free Kinsman doodled portrait. Each charming sketch takes less than five minutes and beats a cheesy caricature any day. You can also hang out and play a round of cornhole (or bags as it's also known) at the Time Out tent and take home your own copy of our special fall print magazine filled with everything you need to make the most of the season. (Grand Ave, between Western and Wood, Sept 26 & 27, 11am–8pm. $5 suggested donation)