Free Comic Book Day

July 3 is Free Comic Book Day at participating comic book shops across the country. Participating Chicago locations include Chicago Comics at 3244 N. Clark and Graham Crackers Comics at 69 E. Madison. Enter your zipcode at the Free Comic Book Day website to find the participating comic book store nearest you.

African-Caribbean International Festival of Life

This 12th annual event celebrating African-Caribbean culture features more than 70 performers on two stages, plus food, arts and crafts, games, kids' activities, and much more. The festival runs from 10am to 10pm every day, July 2-5 in Washington Park at 5100 S. Cottage Grove. Admission ranges from $5-$10.

Eyes to the Skies Balloon Festival

Twenty hot air ballons will be launched every day during this festival at the Lisle Community Park located at Ill. Hwy. 53 and Short Street in Lisle, Illinois. The festival will also include nightly fireworks displays beginning around 10:15 p.m. July 1-4. Some major music acts will also be performing including the Spin Doctors (Thursday at 9pm) and Big Bad VooDoo Daddy (Sunday at 9pm). Admission is $8; $2 for kids ages 5-12. Visit the official website for more information.

Fireworks!

If you like explosions (and you know you do), head to the lakefront for the city's Independance Eve Fireworks Display on July 3. The show gets going at 9:30 p.m. down in Grant Park where there will be a fireworks display "promised to delight crowds" set to music. This year one of the featured pieces is John Williams' "Imperial March" from a little-known movie called "Star Wars."

American Music Festival @ Fitzgerald's

Fitzgerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn, continues its American Music Festival, highlighting excellent folk, blues, country and rock. Playing on two stages tonight are:
• Dave Alvin & The Guilty Men
• Drive By Truckers
• Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience (2 shows, including a kid's matinee!)
• Savoy Family Band
• Reckless Kelly
• Chicago Salty Dogs
• Jon Dee Graham
• Dollar Store
• Cornmeal
• Stone City Stragglers
• Jeff & Vida

Doors open at 1:30pm. Tickets are $20 per day, but you can get $5 off if you show up before 6pm -- which is worth doing, so you can get some of Fitzgerald's great cajun BBQ before the best parts are gone. For more info and a full schedule, check here or call 708/788-2118 ext20.