RAVINIA DISTRICT PUTS THE PEDAL TO THE METAL WITH A WHEELS AND DEALS THEMED THIRD THURSDAY

As part of the continuing “Third Thursdays” series, Ravinia District businesses are excited to put the pedal to the metal with a focus on ‘Wheels and Deals’. On June 18th from 5-8pm, the public is invited to come out and celebrate dad just in time for Father’s Day. Businesses throughout the district will be featuring ‘deals’, while antique and unique ‘wheels’ will be displayed in the parking lot on the 500 block of Roger Williams. District merchants will also play host to the Ravinia School 3rd grade art show, with its timely pre-Father’s Day theme entitled “Why I Wheel-y Love my Dad”. Retailers will stay open until 8:00pm and hold coordinating events and specials throughout the Ravinia District.

A refurbished vintage International Metro from Vintage Step Vans of Chicago will be on display as well as vehicles owned by many private collectors, including several belonging to Dan Beelow, owner of the recently opened Beelow’s NorthShore Restaurant in Downtown Highland Park. The public is invited to meet the owners, share car anecdotes, and take photos with the vehicles. Visitors can spin the prize wheel for a chance to win a pair of lawn passes to the July 1 show featuring Pink Martini and Aime Mann at the Ravinia Festival.

In addition to the vehicles on display, the public will have the opportunity to have a photograph taken in the famous ’54 Chevy owned by former Playboy photographer Jeff Cohen at his studio, Jeff Cohen Creative. Jeff always has enough stories to tell about his experiences with the Chevy and Playboy Magazine to fill an entire evening!

The Arthur M. Feldman Gallery will showcase a collection of antique and vintage toy trucks from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s and the J A Palminteri State Farm Agency will serve refreshments and provide free insurance quotes on classic vehicles. In an additional nod to Fathers Day, Full Circle Architects

(FCA) is offering refreshments and a 25% discount on design services related to a “Man Cave” or garage.

Design Quartet @ Ravinia will be hosting a hotdog barbecue and displaying motorcycles owned by business owner Steve Westlund. Steve will also be accepting donations for his July ride in the Scenic Shore 150, a bicycle ride from Milwaukee to Door County to raise funds and awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Any person who makes a $10 donation to Steve’s team will be entered into their choice of two raffles to win either 9th row tickets to the Chicago Cubs or a Giant Escape bicycle.

For more family fun, bring the gang over to Ravinia Barbecue. The Highland Park Public Library will be hosting a “Wheel-y fun” trivia contest at the restaurant and handing out prizes for winners! In keeping with the theme, people are also invited to spin the library’s “Prize Wheel” for fun giveaways!

Other businesses that will be staying open late and hosting Ravinia School third grade art are: Baker Boys, Calm Massage Therapy, Field Violin Workshop, The Ravinia Barber Shop and SoShee Boutique. Style Hunters will be holding a raffle and showcasing their newly opened store.

The Ravinia District is the place to be this summer with the brand new Jammin’ In Jens Jensen free music series on Saturdays in June, July and August from 11am-2pm, the Farmer’s Market on Wednesday mornings, and more Third Thursdays featuring Design and Dine in July and a Family Fun Festival in August. Pop up community jams have been known to organically form at the corner of St Johns and Roger Williams all summer long. and plans are underway for very first Ravinia District Fall Festival, a celebration of music and art, is scheduled for October 2nd and 3rd. For more information on District “Doings” visit https://www.facebook.com/RaviniaDistrict.HighlandPark?fref=ts. For information on Ravinia District visit https://www.cityhpil.com/Index.aspx?NID=631.