Celebrate the 4th of July in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, with a beloved local tradition going back 30+ years – the 4th on 53rd Parade and Free Festival! The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. with marching bands, floats, community groups, and kids on decorated bikes – with a free festival after the parade in Nichols Park from 12-3 p.m. featuring performances, games, bouncy houses, face painting, a magician, and more!

Summer fun starts here!

Friday, June 5, 2026 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Grab a blanket and some sunscreen and meet us on the front lawn for this free event featuring games, bounce houses, face paint and hands-on activities from the Griffin MSI Education team and some of our incredible community partners.

• Free swag from organizations including The Midwest Dairy Association, Chicago White Sox and Gatorade
• Facilitated STE(A)M activities hosted by Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C2ST), Chicago Architecture Center, Robothink Chicago and more
• The CTA will be bringing one of their historic vehicles
• And so much more to enjoy!

This outdoor event is free and open to the public — food will be available for purchase. Admission to the Museum requires a ticket purchase. Ticketed guests may exit and re-enter freely.

Saturday, June 13, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Nichols Park – 1355 E. 53rd Street

Live DJs • Vendors • Food Trucks • Bouncy House • Obstacle Course • HIV Testing • Teen Activities

The Keith Cooper Fund honors Keith’s memory by awarding grants that open doors for young people – empowering them to pursue education, vocation, and a life filled with intention.

Live jazz with Rodney Gipsen and his ensemble, silent auction, award-winning beers from CHAOS Homebrew Club, food, and good company!

Click HERE for tickets.

The 3rd Annual Taste of Nigeria: African Art Music Fundraiser Night will take place on Saturday, June 6th, 2026, at Connect Gallery in Hyde Park. Presented in partnership with Umu Igbo Unite (UIU), this year’s program celebrates Igbo music and culture while raising support for Àkójọpọ̀’s year-round initiatives in Pan-African art, music, education, concerts, and professional development opportunities.

Guests will be welcomed with a traditional kola nut experience, setting the tone for an evening rooted in cultural celebration, community, and connection. The event will bring together students, artists, professionals, and community members from across Chicago for an immersive cultural dining and artistic experience. The evening will also feature cultural performances highlighting works by Igbo composers, alongside access to the art exhibition on display at Connect Gallery.

Thank you to all of our community supporters, including Connect Gallery, Barry’s, Unan Imports, Dozzy’s Grill, Umu Igbo Unite (UIU), the Chicago White Sox, and more partners to be announced as the event approaches.

Tier 1: Enjoy native rice with chicken/beef/fish, served with a soft drink or bottled water. This tier offers a warm introduction to the evening and is perfect for guests looking to experience the culture, community, and atmosphere of the event.

Tier 2: Experience a deeper taste of Igbo cuisine with your choice of native yam porridge or oha/egusi soup served with yellow garri, along with a complimentary Champagne/mocktail and one raffle ticket entry.

The 3rd Annual Taste of Nigeria: African Art Music Fundraiser Night will take place on Saturday, June 6th, 2026, at Connect Gallery in Hyde Park. Presented in partnership with Umu Igbo Unite (UIU), this year’s program celebrates Igbo music and culture while raising support for Àkójọpọ̀’s year-round initiatives in Pan-African art, music, education, concerts, and professional development opportunities.

Guests will be welcomed with a traditional kola nut experience, setting the tone for an evening rooted in cultural celebration, community, and connection. The event will bring together students, artists, professionals, and community members from across Chicago for an immersive cultural dining and artistic experience. The evening will also feature cultural performances highlighting works by Igbo composers, alongside access to the art exhibition on display at Connect Gallery.

Thank you to all of our community supporters, including Connect Gallery, Barry’s, Unan Imports, Dozzy’s Grill, Umu Igbo Unite (UIU), the Chicago White Sox, and more partners to be announced as the event approaches.

Tier 1: Enjoy native rice with chicken/beef/fish, served with a soft drink or bottled water. This tier offers a warm introduction to the evening and is perfect for guests looking to experience the culture, community, and atmosphere of the event.

Tier 2: Experience a deeper taste of Igbo cuisine with your choice of native yam porridge or oha/egusi soup served with yellow garri, along with a complimentary Champagne/mocktail and one raffle ticket entry.

Our neighborhoods thrive when we plan, advocate, and build together.

I am thrilled to invite you to the “Better Together” Community Outlook Forum on May 16th at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. This event is designed to spark actionable conversations around equitable community development and inclusive growth.

We will be discussing the future of our local infrastructure and how intentional collaboration can drive meaningful change for our residents. It is an opportunity to gather with fellow community advocates and neighborhood leaders to align our goals for the year ahead.

Click HERE for event information.

Discover what makes STA a place where students thrive.

With 92% returning teachers, our students benefit from strong relationships and consistency. Our Innovation Labbrings learning to life through STEM, coding, and hands-on experiences, while Project-Based Learning in 4th and 5th grade builds real-world skills. We also offer a 12-month Preschool and a full-day Summer Program (8:00 AM–4:00 PM) that blends academics with engaging enrichment.

Join us and see the STA difference for yourself.

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ0ws50xoINtO35TkImhBDDXdJ4qBkuobGakkU0zSzli3Ly20zzH_SV0hSmsP5CWFt7Dyoe8_1LM