Summer Events and Festivals Mean Fun in RTA Region - Bacon, Sports & Beer Celebration

August 21, 2014

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is continuing to remind riders that the fastest and most convenient way to get around this summer is by taking transit. The fun is just a short ride away on a bus or train and a great way to enjoy family time, meet friends at an event or just enjoy our great city.

Featured weekend events:

• Bacon, Sports & Beer Celebration (August 23) - If you're among the masses who enjoy anything bacon, head down to Chicago Union Station, 225 S. Canal St., Chicago, and enjoy this bacon festival, complete with sports, entertainment and plenty of food and drinks. If you're coming in on the Milwaukee District West Line or Burlington Northern Santa Fe, your train will bring you right into Union Station where you'll be just steps away from the fun.

• Pilsen Community Market (August 24) - Start your Sunday morning at the farmers market in the parking lot of the Chicago Community Bank, 1800 S. Halsted St., Chicago, where you’ll find some of the freshest fruits and vegetables. Just catch the CTA's #126 Jackson bus heading west and transfer to the #8 Halsted at Halsted Street, exit at 18th Street and you're right in front of the market.

Also, consider these fun weekend festivals that are also easy to get to on transit:

• Bash on Wabash, South Loop (August 23-24)
• Bucktown Arts Festival, Bucktown (August 23-24)
• Chicago Fashion Fest, Wicker Park (August 23)
• Chicago's New Orleans Festival, Wicker Park (August 23-24)
• Sausagefest Chicago, Old Town (August 22-24)
• Taste of Greece, Greektown (August 23-24)
• The Boulevard, Logan Square (August 22-24)

“Our transit system is the best way to reach your favorite destinations, whether it’s planning a mid-week visit to the museum, enjoying a night out for dinner or participating with hundreds of concert goers at one of the many free performances held at Chicago’s Grant Park,” said Acting RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden.

Riders can use the RTA’s Trip Planner to plan travel and select routes with ADA accessible services when necessary. It is the only online site in the region that provides a variety of options for getting around our region, including transit, walking, bicycling and driving. For more information about how the RTA Trip Planner can help you plan your next trip, visitwww.RTAchicago.org. Not sure where to go? Visit websites like Metromix (http://chicago.metromix.com) and Choose Chicago (http://www.choosechicago.com/articles/view/CHICAGO-EVENTS-FESTIVALS-2014-CALENDAR-HIGHLIGHTS/1243/#June), for a full listing of summer events in the Chicago region.