Welcome to Rocktober

Classic cars, Elvis tribute artist headline a busy month 

By Tim Hadac

The Southwest Side will start—and end–October with some classic fun designed to jog recollections of good times and create new moments to remember.

A classic car show featuring dozens of sweet rides from decades gone by is set for 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 in several parking lots and on the street east of 63^rd and Narragansett.

The annual event is sponsored by the Midway Chamber of Commerce (formerly Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce) and the Clearing Night Force neighborhood watch group.

Hugo’s Elvis was a smash hit earlier this year when he packed the house at the Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center.
–File photo

“This event is a lot of fun for the whole family, and we’re pleased to partner with the Clearing Night Force to bring it to the community,” MCC President Mary Ellen Brown said. “It’s the type of thing that gets men, women and children out of the house and onto our business strips. That delivers a ‘keep it at home’ message, and having neighbors meet each other helps make connections that can help prevent crime and build a more cohesive neighborhood.”

Owners of classic cars, trucks and other vehicles are invited to display their rides at no charge. Spaces in local parking lots are first come, first served.

The event will include a fall craft show, as well as food trucks.

The car show will also feature DJ Eli Jubiter, sponsored by Geno Randazzo of All Exterior Contractors.

“Eli has three hours to fill, and he’s looking for suggestions on classic rock songs to play,” Randazzo said. “So, what songs remind you of classic cars? Of cruising down the streets of your youth? Of your favorite drive-in restaurant or drive-in movie theater? Send your suggestions to the All Exterior Contractors Facebook page, and they will be relayed to Eli.”

Hit the diamonds first

Before the car show starts, Clearing and Garfield Ridge residents are asked to stop off at the diamonds at nearby Hale Park–just steps northeast of where the car show is–and see another Chicago classic: a 16-inch softball tournament.

Some of the best players in the city will be slugging it out in an all-day men’s tourney hosted by two local non-profits: Brotherhood For The Fallen and Our CORPS Charity.

Funds raised through the tournament will benefit police officers slain in the line of duty, as well as military veterans’ organizations and individual vets.

For details, call Niko Garcia at (708) 724-3606.

The king’s triumphant return

Three months after he packed the house—and nearly brought it down at the senior center in Garfield Ridge, one of the nation’s top Elvis tribute artists will return in an encore show of sorts.

Hugo’s Elvis, a rising young star who has even played Las Vegas, will perform for 90 minutes on stage at Our Lady of the Snows parish hall, 4810 S. Leamington, Saturday, Oct. 22. Doors open at 11:15 a.m., and the show runs from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Then from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Motown tribute group Fred & Friendz will take everyone on trip down memory lane as it ran through the Motor City.

Between acts, those in attendance will enjoy a pizza lunch.

Invited to attend are all local senior citizens, military veterans and first responders.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required. To make a reservation, call the Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center at (312) 745-4255.

There is no admission charge or charge for lunch. The show is paid for as a public service to seniors, veterans and first responders by Geno Randazzo of All Exterior Contractors, Mike Riordan of Mike Riordan State Farm Agency and Al Cacciottolo of First Rate Realty.

Pumpkin parade closes out month

The community’s annual Pumpkin Parade is expected to end the month with an explosion of orange, black and other colors on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Sponsored by the Midway Chamber of Commerce, the event is still in the planning stages, and details will be shared in early October in the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound. The traditional parade route is from Archer and Nordica to Wentworth Park..

Several thousand boys and girls, moms and dads, and grandmas and grandpas typically line the parade route—many in Halloween costumes.