Community Corner

Much to Do in Elmhurst This Weekend: Pet Parade, Museum Day, Fun Run, Community Theater

Can't decide? Try it all.

We've seen busy weekends before, but this one takes the cake. From high school graduations to the annual Pet Parade and Annie Ryan Fun Run, the one thing you won't be hearing is, "I'm bored."

Be sure to tell us about events we've missed in the comments.

Saturday, May 18

Pet and Bicycle Parade

The 25th annual Pet Parade—that's right, 25th—will step off from Ahlgrim Funeral Home at Spring and Vallette at 1 p.m. The parade will end at the parking lot of Silverado Grill with a pet trick contest and pet blessing. Any type of pet is welcome, from reptiles to rabbits and everything in between. Kids also are welcome to ride their bikes in the parade. Be sure to get there early for bike decorating, face tattoos, pet portraits and Moon Jump play time—all for free. On-site registration begins at 11:30 a.m. Sponsors, Spring Road Business Association and Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce, will accept donations of cash and non-perishable food items for the Elmhurst/Yorkfield Presbyterian Food Pantry. For more information, visit springroad.com or contact John Devries at info@devriesanimalhospital.com.

Blind Stoker Ride

The annual Blind Stoker Ride, which pairs "stokers" with "captains" for a tandem bicycle ride from Elmhurst to Glen Ellyn, will take place from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Registration for this event has closed, but it's such a neat event, we wanted share the story again. The tandem bike riders will meet at Eldridge Park for the round trip ride to Taste of Glen Ellyn. Cyclists taking the front seat are the captains, who steer, brake and change gears, and the stokers are in the back, providing fuel for the ride in the form of pedaling power—and they are blind. The event is held every year in partnership with the South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation (SEASPAR) and the Elmhurst Bicycle Club.

'After the End of the World'

Green Man Theatre's After the End of the World will conclude this weekend, with final performances at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 232 S. York, Elmhurst. The production features nine short plays and one-acts that deal with beginnings, endings and other apocalyptic scenarios. They are directed by six local directors, with a combined cast of 20. Some plays are original works, others are well-known. Some are humorous, some serious and deep, some reflective about life. Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors.

IC Catholic Prep Graduation

The Class of 2013 will be celebrated with a Baccalaureatte Mass at the Immaculate Conception Chapel at 7:30 p.m. The  memorable day will conclude with the cap toss outside at 8:45 p.m. It's hard to comprehend how fast those four years fly by.

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Sunday, May 19

Annie Ryan Fun Run

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Thousands are expected for the 14th annual Annie Ryan Fun Run, which, since its inception, has raised nearly $600,000 for brain tumor awareness, medical advancements and family support. The 5-K kicks off at York and South Street at 9 a.m., and the kids' 1-mile dash starts at 9:45 a.m. Annie Ryan, the youngest child of former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan and his wife, Marie, died in 1997 of a brain tumor. All proceeds go to the Midwest Children's Brain Tumor Center. Registration is $30 for the 5-K and $5 for the kids' run (open to grades K-8) the day of the event.

Museum Day

Admission to all of Elmhurst's four museums is free in celebration of International Museum Day Sunday. A trolley will take museum-goers between Elmhurst Historical Museum, Elmhurst Art Museum, Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art and the Theatre Historical Society of America from 1 and 5 p.m. Participants will enjoy a fun and educational day in Elmhurst, with special activities and great door prizes. For more information, call (630) 833-1457.

Animal Rescue Fund-raiser

Christ United Methodist Church, 920 Swain Ave. in Elmhurst will host an animal rescue fund-raiser from 3 to 7 p.m. The event helps the Starfish Animal Rescue group take rescue a step further with the Spay it Forward program, which reduces the 94 percent euthanasia rate for animals in impoverished areas of Kentucky. The fund-raiser will offer vendors from Vault Denim, Gigi Hill Bags, Pink Zebra, Dove Chocolates, My Jewelry, Homemade Dog Biscuits and more. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. there will be an opportunity to sell sterling silver items and gold jewelry for maximum price. Starfish Animal Rescue, will, of course have dogs and cats up for adoption, too.

York Graduation

York High School graduation also will be held on Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m. But there is something new this year. Those with loved ones taking the big step into adulthood who might not be able to attend the graduation can watch it via live-stream on the York High School website. Thanks to a partnership with iHigh, the ceremony will continue to be available for viewing long after the event concludes. It also will be shown on Comcast Channel 6 and U-verse channel 99. Graduation begins at 1 p.m.

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