With the Chicago Air & Water Show, the Great America Lobster Fest, and the return of Bulls Fest all taking place this weekend there is no shortage of options.
If you’re looking for an active and adventurous way to spend your weekend, however, you’ll be happy to hear that Skate Chicago returns this evening for four days of free urban street skating events.
For those that aren’t familiar with Skate Chicago, it is the biggest skate event of its kind in the state, much like the Big Apple Roll in New York, and features a variety of scheduled skates including themed skates and night time skates. Skaters from around the world gather every year to socialize and explore the city on inline and roller skates.
The four-day schedule begins today, Thursday, August 17, with a Disney-themed 12-mile night skate starting at Daley Plaza at 7:30 pm. Chosen because “2023 is the 100th Anniversary of The Walt Disney Company, and Walt Disney was born in Chicago” the skate will take attendees to where Walt Disney lived, went to high school, worked, and took drawing classes.
There will then be two 12-mile skates on Friday: a morning skate starting from Daley Plaza at 10:30 am and an evening skate meeting at Daley Plaza at 7:30 pm whereby attendees will skate to where the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre took place on February 14, 1929.
On Saturday morning a 20-mile “Neighborhoods Skate” will take skaters “through a variety of neighborhoods, from South side to West side to North side” leaving from Daley Plaza at 10:30 am with a refreshment break halfway through.
On Sunday a 13-mile morning skate leaves Daley Plaza a little earlier at 9:30 am and with the theme “Wings” will take attendees to various Wing things around town while the Chicago Air and Water Show takes place overhead.
According to Skate Chicago website Skate Chicago is a free event, but skaters are required to register by signing this waiver and receive a wristband.
Prior to a skate Skate Chicago organizers wearing red Windy City Skaters shirts will hand out wristbands after being shown confirmation emails. Alternatively, a registration table will be located in the Crescendo Room on the 2nd floor of the Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel from 3 pm until 6 pm on Friday, August, 18th.
A helmet is required for all skaters and protective gear, especially wrist guards, is encouraged.
Below is the full Skate Chicago schedule:
More information can be found at skatechicago.org.
[Featured image courtesy of Skate Chicago]