The Mix: Cool Things to Do

GRAND PARADE

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) will serve as grand marshal of the77th annual Bud Billiken Day Parade and Picnic, the largest African-American parade in the country, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. Theparade celebrates a mythical protector of small children, and rollsout along Martin Luther King Drive from 39th to 55th streets, withbands, floats and music. After-parade activities includeentertainment in Washington Park, including a drill team, drum corpscompetition, and a picnic and vendor area. Admisison is free. WLS-Channel 7 will broadcast the parade. Call (773) 536-3710;www.budbillikenparade.com.

KOREAN FEST

The 11th annual Chicago Korean Festival gets under way thisweekend, on Bryn Mawr Avenue between Kedzie and Kimball. Two musicstages will present traditional and contemporary Korean and Korean-American musicians, dancers and practitioners of ssirum (Koreanwrestling, above). Korean cuisine, a hair fashion show, a varietyshow, children's activities and a 5K Run are also on tap. A Koreanfilm festival is slated for both evenings. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Call(773) 580-1700; www.koreanfestival.org.

ARTS OF JAPAN

For the next three days, the Midwest Buddhist Temple, 435 W.Menomonee, will serve up vats of its famous chicken teriyaki, alongwith sushi, kintoki and other treats, to sustain visitors to itsGinza Holiday Festival, a celebration of Japanese culture.Attractions include folk dancers, taiko drummers, martial artsdemonstrations, crafts, music, vendors and master craftsmen of sucharts as bonsai, calligraphy and dolls. Hours are 5:30 to 9 p.m.today, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.Sunday. Admission $4 for adults, $3 for seniors; children youngerthan 12 free with an adult. Call (312) 943-7801;www.midwestbuddhisttemple.org.

NAVy maneuvers

See how you do in push-up and sit-up contests against some U.S.Navy SEALs at a fund-raiser to benefit SEALs' families from 5 to 11p.m. Thursday at Dick's Last Resort in the River East Art Center, 435E. Illinois. Meet SEALs, commandos, hear live music with "The 4-ManBand," have your face painted with camouflage and enjoy refreshments.Cost is $25. Call (773) 334-7344; www.nswfoundation.org.

NEW TRADITION

West Fest is back, a street festival that debuted last year onChicago Avenue between Damen Avenue and Wood Street, and that boastsa distinctly local flavor. Urge Overkill and Local H will headline,and the fun also includes food from West Town restaurants and pubs,and arts and crafts. The fest runs noon to 10 p.m. Saturday andSunday. Donation, $5. Call (312) 850-9390.

THE KING RULES

The 29th Anniversary Elvis Spectacular, starring Mark Hussman willtake place on Aug. 16 at the Park West, 322 W. Armitage. Also on thebill: Anthony Smith and the Guitar Street Orchestra, Amy Hohimer, theAnn Margrock Dancers and WCKG's Buzz Kilman. Tickets, $15. Call (312)559-1212.

<< BEATLEs MANIA

It was 40 years ago today that the Beatles arrived in Chicago tobegin their last tour of the United States. The anniversary kicks offThe Fest for Beatles Fans 2006, a gathering of fans, tribute bands,vendors, look-alike contests, memorabilia and more, at the HyattRegency O'Hare, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr in Rosemont. Highlights willinclude a reunion of the '60s British invasion group Peter andGordon, original Beatles drummer Pete Best and his band, and theBattle of the Beatles Bands. Hours are 5 p.m. to midnight today, noonto midnight Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $29-$44. Call (847) 696-1234; www.thefestforbeatlesfans.com.