We celebrate Mexican Independence this month with parades in many areas of the city beginning this weekend. Also, the spectacular evening of the Lyric Opera Stars comes to Millennium Park on Saturday. I swear last year you could see the notes roll of Gehry's sculptural stage into the evening air. Hope rain doesn't spoil it.

• Lewis Black at the Chicago Theatre on Friday
• Stars of the Lyric Opera at Millennium Park on Saturday. Free. 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Seating opens an hour and a half before showtime.
• Windy City Wine Festival at Daley Bicentennial Plaza on Saturday and Sunday
• Good Greens Food Festival at DuSable Museum of African American History on Saturday.
• For more about Guinness Oyster Fest, 79th Street Renaissance Fair, Mexican Independence Day Parade, and other festivals taking place this weekend, see our September Annual Events.

Fortunately, just because Labor Day weekend passed behind us, it doesn't mean Chicago slows down in September. The list of festivals, annual events, and parades is as long and robust as summer's. We'll be celebrating Mexican Independence, the Country Music Fest, Gourmet Fest, the World Music Fest, and many more.

In a historic evening last night, our U.S. Senator Barack Obama accepted the nomination of the Democratic party for President of the United States. He became the first African-American to clinch a major party nomination and the third Illinoisan to do so.

He accepted the nomination on August 28, 2008, which was also the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. See a photo timeline of Barack Obama's rise to the nomination beginning with his bid announcement in February 2007.

(And, man, didn't Lake Shore Drive and the el look magnificent in his introductory video?)

Related Reading: Text of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" Speech

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Those of you who are able to follow this site closely, already know about our Chicago Labor Day Weekend - Top Picks list and the last chances of summer at some of the city's museums.

Also note, the Chicago beaches close after Labor Day. (In other words, the lifeguards go home for good.) You can find more information about this weekend's water quality, beach locations, and parking info here.

Related Reading:

• Top Ten Chicago Museums
• A Brief History of Labor Day
• Labor Day Recipes