The Chicago Traveler

Venetian Night & The Simpsons

by Matt B on July 26th, 2007

This Saturday is the 50th Annual Venetian Night. Approximately 30 boats are decked out with lights and other decorations in some way that reflects this year’s theme, “Chicago’s Finest Moments.” This aquatic parade takes place along Lake Michigan’s shore line between the Shedd Aquarium at Roosevelt Road and the Chicago Yacht Club at Monroe Street. The parade begins at 8:30 p.m., but be sure to get there early. This free event attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year. With a crowd like this, public transportation or biking is your best bet. The evening ends with an amazing fireworks display accompanied by music provided by radio station WXRT-FM (93.1). Trust me, words cannot describe this sight to behold. Just prepare yourself for a night of fun.

The Simpsons Movie opens this weekend, and I for one can’t wait to see it. I’ve been a fan of the animated series for years, so imagine my delight when I found out that 7-Eleven was converting a dozen of its stores into Kwik-E-Marts'the fictional convenience store featured in “The Simpsons.” One of them is right here in Chicago on the southwest side. Chicagoans can enjoy Simpsons-fare like Buzz Cola, KrustyO’s Cereal, pink-frosted doughnuts, and even Squishees. Best. Promotion. Ever.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) goatling, crimsonredmk

Venetian Night (free!): 1200 S Lake Shore Dr - 100 S Lake Shore Dr; 312-744-3370
July 28: 8:30 p.m.
Public trans: Bus # 1, 2, 3, 4, X4, 6, 7, 10, 14, 26, X28, 126, 127, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151
Purple/Pink/Brown Line train (Adams, Library)
Red Line train (Monroe, Jackson, Harrison, Roosevelt)
Blue Line train (Monroe, Jackson)
Orange Line train (Adams, Library, Roosevelt)
Green Line train (Adams, Roosevelt)
Metra train Electric Line (Roosevelt, Van Buren)
http://tinyurl.com/2s72b8

Kwik-E-Mart a.k.a. 7-Eleven: 6754 W 63rd St; 773-788-0301
Street parking available; free lot
Public trans: Bus # 63W
http://www.7-eleven.com/kem_chi.asp

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