Our annual summer outing to Ravinia Festival is Saturday, July 16 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra playing Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and two other works.

There are two options:

  -Earlier in the day, visit the beautiful Chicago Botanic Garden, which is a short distance from Ravinia. Meet at the College Avenue Park and Ride, southwest lot, at 9:45 am to carpool to the gardens. Vehicle parking fee is $25 online in advance, or $30 at the entrance; there are no individual admission fees.  Bring or purchase lunch food.

  -For those who only want to go to the concert, meet at the same Park and Ride at 3:30 pm to carpool to downtown Highland Park.

Then we will all gather at the free parking lots (#14 and #15), just south of Central Avenue at the train tracks in Highland Park, to catch the free shuttle bus to Ravinia. Gates open at 5 pm and the concert begins at 7:30 pm. Lawn seats are $10 and are purchased at the gate.

Bring a chair, side table, blanket, picnic food (a dish to share, if you want), drinks, etc. (It’s okay to take these on the shuttle bus.). Or, you can rent chairs and tables and purchase food and drinks.

If you are interested in going--to just the concert, or to the gardens and concert--please call Cindy at 414-336-8695. In case of rain, the alternate date is Saturday, August 20.