Friday, June 28
Second annual Techweek Food Truck Face Off at the Merchandise Mart South Drive. A dozen local food trucks will serve $2 bites to the public and a trio of pro judges: EL Ideas chef/owner and former Meatyballs maestro Phillip Foss; the Hungry Hound himself Steve Dolinsky; and Tavernita/Little Market chef/partner chef Ryan Poli. They’ll pick the Techweek Food Truck Champ, but you can vote for the “People’s Truck” via the Techweek App. Admission FREE, food and drink additional.

Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival on Milwaukee between Kedzie and Diversey. The three day arts, food, and music street fest kicks off with Lula Cafe, Longman & Eagle, Reno, and many more. Plus there will be a pop-up parking lot cocktail bar with a special food and drink menu including Parson’s Chicken & Fish Negroni slushies and fried food, Reno mojitos and exclusive MAAF sandwiches; and much more. Admission $5 suggested donation, food and drink additional, and you must RSVP for the popup parking lot.

Saturday, June 29
Let’s Get Canned: A Homey History of Preserving at Kendall College. Author Sherri Brooks Vinton will talk preservation heritage to contemporary canning. Plus taste preserves from the private collection of Greater Midwest Foodways founder and my friend Catherine Lambrecht. Brooks Vinton will sign copies of her new book Put ‘em Up! Fruit: A Preserving Guide & Cookbook: Creative Ways to Put ‘em Up, Tasty Ways to Use ‘em Up, which will be available for sale. This event will be recorded for WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified. Admission FREE for Culinary Historians of Chicago members, $3 for students, $5 general.

Paul Virant canning demo at Green City Market. Virant kicks off the first in a series of three summer canning demos sponsored by Ball Jars and presented by the Green City Market Junior Board. The Vie and Perennial Virant chef/owner also co-wrote The Preservation Kitchen: The Craft of Making and Cooking with Pickles, Preserves, and Aigre-doux. You may take home many of the materials you need to get started canning. Admission FREE

Starving Artist 2013 at Chicago Artists Coalition. Five artist and chef pairs collaborate to create edible “installations” to be enjoyed by the crowd and new works of art to be auctioned off the night of the event. Drinks include cocktails by mixologist Benjamin Newby, plus beer and wine. Plus there will be Taco Battle: Antique Taco vs. Big Star. This year’s chefs and artists notably include Fat Rice’s Abraham Conlon; BellyQ, Urban Belly, and Belly Shack’s Bill Kim; Bar Pastoral’s Chrissy Camba; Longman & Eagle’s Jared Wentworth; the artist Theaster Gates; and more. Admission $75 artists and arts administrators; $125 general; $175 Secret Society, includes gift bag and one year Collectors Circle membership ($150 value).

Sunday, June 30
Hot Doug’s book release party at Open Books. Hot Doug’s owner/cashier and modern philosopher Doug Sohn will sign copies of his new book Hot Doug’s: The Book. It’s been called “the Critique of Pure Reason of books about hot dog stands in Avondale” alleges the website of the legendary Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium. Refreshments will be served! Admission FREE.

Wednesday, July 3
Veggie Bingo at the Hideout. Co-sponsored by NeighborSpace, Hideout Veggie Bingo features a grand prize of fresh produce from Irv & Shelly’s Fresh Picks and a cornucopia of other prizes from local artisanal food producers, farmers, and gardeners. Plus free Hot Doug’s hot dogs grilled out front. All proceeds benefit local gardens. Kids welcome with a responsible adult. Admission FREE, bingo cards $3 each or 4 for $10.

Thursday, July 4
Happy Independence Day!

Follow Louisa Chu at @louisachu.