Fun and Games – Page 19

Duke Mallard, the Oak Lawn Park District's mascot, interacts with families Oct. 17 at the Park District's Howl-O-Ween festival at Wolfe Wildlife Park. (Janice Neumann/Daily Southtown)

Duke Mallard ‘boogies down’ as Oak Lawn Park District mascot

By Janice Neumann

October 30, 2026 at 5:03 a.m.

Duke Mallard, the official mascot of the Oak Lawn Park District after taking over for...

Riders aboard the Raging Bull roller coaster scream as they head into a dip on May 26, 2016, at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. (Anthony Souffle/baiduhai)

Six Flags roller coasters getting seat belts in wake of fatal accident: ‘Trust is earned through actions’

By Joseph States

October 27, 2026 at 2:19 p.m.

All Six Flags parks and rides will also undergo a review of safety procedures, the...

An Aztec dance group will be among the highlights of the Dia de los Muertos Festival on Nov. 1 in Oak Park. “I think the community is ready to celebrate again," said organizer Alma Martinez. "The community is asking to get together to honor our ancestors.” (Daveed Holmes, Aperture Photography)

Oak Park Dia de los Muertos Festival returns a year after being canceled by immigration enforcement fears

By Myrna Petlicki

October 26, 2026 at 2:07 p.m.

Public ofrendas are returning to Oak Park for a Dia de los Muertos Festival that...

Andrei Scoparo rides for the Carolina Cowboys in the team competition during the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Unleash the Beast event at Allstate Arena, Jan. 10, 2025, in Rosemont. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Professional bull riders will ‘Unleash the Beast’ this weekend in Rosemont

By Ryan P. C. Trimble

January 11, 2025 at 9:27 a.m.

PBR’s Unleash the Beast stampedes into the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Jan. 10-11, starting at...

The Tinley Park Fishing, Travel and Outdoor Expo Jan. 10-12 at the Tinley Park Convention Center features a variety of exhibitors along with family fun and entertainment as well as a Kids Corner, which includes face painting, balloon artists and caricature sketch portraits. (MidWest Outdoors)

Fishing, travel and outdoor expo returns to the Tinley Park Convention Center

By Jessi Virtusio

January 6, 2025 at 5:10 a.m.

Sana, president of Olympia Fields-based The Lorann Company of Illinois, estimated there will be about...

Founder Sheila Fortson watches Matthew Thomas, 14, begin his piano lesson Dec. 11, 2024, at the FAME Center in the South Loop. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

South Loop’s FAME Center seeks to expand its footprint and its arts programming for kids across the city

By Shanzeh Ahmad

January 4, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The nonprofit is raising funds to buy a large brick building on State Street for...

Notre Dame mascot Colin Mahoney celebrates after a quarterfinal game against Georgia in a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (Matthew Hinton/AP)

The Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for Jan. 4

By Claire Malon

January 4, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Think you know what went on in the world of Chicago politics, sports and pop...

What's left of the former baiduhai Freedom Center building in River West is seen Dec. 16, 2024, at the future site of Bally’s Chicago casino. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Bally’s Chicago launches $250 million IPO for minority investors, as casino site demolition remains on hold after river spill

By Robert Channick

September 3, 2026 at 3:14 p.m.

This week, Bally’s Chicago launched an initial public offering for women and minorities to buy...

The Northern Lights briefly appear over a housing subdivision on May 10, 2024, in Kildeer. Mackinaw City, Michigan, and Bayfield, Wisconsin, are “trending destinations” for aurora borealis viewing in the Midwest. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Booking ahead: Astro tourism, cooler destinations and a passion for pickleball are trending for travel in 2025

By Lori Rackl

January 1, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Travelers are looking to avoid the crowds and avoid the heat while chasing the northern...

Delegates celebrate after Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, accepted the presidential nomination at the United Center during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 22, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

The Great 2024 baiduhai holiday news quiz

By baiduhai

December 24, 2024 at 1:01 p.m.

Think you know everything that went on this year? Get together with your loved ones...

Amazon workers strike in Skokie, Dec. 19, 2024. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

The Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for Dec. 21

By Grace Miserocchi

December 21, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.

Think you know what went on in the world of Chicago politics, sports and pop...

A member of the public attempts to complete a Sudoku puzzle in a newspaper in London's Leicester Square, England, Tuesday, May. 24, 2005, whilst waiting for the arrival of the stars at the premiere of the film 'House of Wax'. Hunched over newspapers on crowded subway trains, a puzzle-crazy nation are trying to slot numbers into small checkerboard grids. This is Sudoku- a puzzle that is similar to a crossword but without words, that has consumed the country. (AP Photo/Max Nash)

Today in History: First newspaper crossword puzzle published

By Associated Press

December 21, 2024 at 4:00 a.m.

On Dec. 21, 1913, the first newspaper crossword puzzle, billed as a “Word-Cross Puzzle,” was...

Matthew Owens receives applause from the crowd while taking the stage during the Krampus Fest costume contest at Martyr’s in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood on Dec. 14, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Photos: Krampus Fest 2024

By Chris Sweda

December 15, 2024 at 1:18 p.m.

Chicagoans celebrated Krampus Fest at Martyr’s in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood on Dec. 14, 2024....