Thanks to all that supported @ Loves Local in June! Are you ready to experience more local favorites in July? If so, we have a delicious roster set up for you and even an @ Loves Local first! Trust us when we say you won’t want to miss these.

July 4^th weekend is upon us, bringing with it cookouts, fireworks, and outfits of red, white, and blue. Chicagoland is home to its fair share of festivities, and there are many others within driving distance in the communities of Southwest Michigan, Northwest Indiana, and Southeast Wisconsin. The following are some of our favorites:

Oh sweet summertime. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes? To celebrate the turn of the season, we want to make sure you’re equipped with summer necessities!

Read on to learn how to enter our Summer’s Not Canceled Sweepstakes for a chance to win essentials for summer; a Yeti Roadie® 24 Hard Cooler, Yeti Camino® Carryall tote, Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth® speaker II, and a Spikeball set.

Before summer slowly drifts away and we shift our focus to pumpkins and chunky sweaters, let’s make the most of our beloved summer. Take advantage of the remaining sunny days with our end of summer Chicago bucket list.

Summertime is arguably Chicago’s best season, complete with neighborhood festivals, sunny skies and an extreme desire for cool, tasty treats. To help you beat the heat, we’ve put together a list of some of Chicago’s essential ice cream shops. In no particular order, here are 10 of the city’s most revered favorites:

Summertime is winding down, but that doesn’t mean patio season has to end.

In fact, fall is our absolute favorite season to enjoy the outdoors in. The crisp, cool air and the smell of burning leaves…

And it’s this time of year when you’ll find some of the best deals since furniture starts going on sale.

Discover some of our favorite patio essentials that will take you from the final weeks of summer well into autumn. Whether you’re grilling out with the neighbors or reading a book solo — these patio picks will leave you relaxed and refreshed.

With only a month left of summer, everyone wants to spend every second they can outdoors. Here are some fun ‘indoor’ activities you can adapt to the outdoors to end your summer with a bang.

If you’re lucky enough to have an expansive backyard, live down the road from a nature preserve, or spend your summers at a beach house, then this advice is not for you. In fact, the only words of wisdom I have for you are to enjoy every bit of our short summer in your heavenly outdoors space (slathered in SPF, of course).

But if you are like many Chicagoans who have to squeeze one metal folder chair on a postage-stamp balcony to get some air or if your modest yard is covered in concrete or organic veggie beds, then this is your post and I am your people.

If you’re one of the million or so parents in the Chicago area like myself, you’ve been so busy shuttling kids to camps and activities that you can barely comprehend we are already halfway through the school break and great weather. Rest easy! There’s still plenty of time and many places to take your children to make the most of the warm-weather months.

Why not start by swinging by a few neighborhood festivals, where bouncy houses, salty corn on the cob, face painting and maybe a beer tent will keep everyone in the family happy for a few hours? Here are a few family-friendly fests you can’t miss in the last half of summer.

Every summer has a story, and thanks to social media your adventure is completely shareable. Whether you’re just looking for something beyond the ordinary to do or looking to never forget your stunning surroundings, these postcard-worthy hot spots around Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan are sure to pack a punch on your Instagram feed.