Community news: Brookfield Zoo Chicago brings back its Ferris wheel, and more

Chicago Tribune

28-04-2025

Brookfield Zoo Chicago has another reason for people to visit this year, because its Ferris wheel has returned.
Through Labor Day weekend, when weather allows, patrons can enjoy a five- to seven-minute ride that offers views of the zoo grounds, animal habitats and even the Chicago skyline. The Ferris wheel is 110 feet high and features 24 riding gondolas and multicolored LED lighting.
Riders must be at least 32 inches tall to ride the attraction with a supervising companion; anyone 42 inches and taller may ride alone. Tickets are required and cost $8 for children, adults and seniors.
The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends. Details are at brookfieldzoo.org/visit.
Free choral concert includes Broadway tunes
The Hinsdale Sounds Good Choir presents its free spring concert at 7 p.m. May 6 at The Community House, 415 W. Eighth St., Hinsdale.
Concert selections include hits from 'West Side Story,' 'The Wizard of Oz,' 'Hamilton,' 'Oklahoma' and 'Porgy & Bess.' The show will be conducted by Daniel Segner and Jonathan Miller.
The event is free and open to the public, and children are welcome. No tickets or reservations are needed.
The nonprofit organization Sounds Good Choir is the Chicago area's largest 'no audition' choral program for adults 55 and older and also offers Good Memories for people with early stage dementia and their care partners.
Information is at soundsgoodchoir.org or 630-395-9542.
Oak Brook run to raise money for breast cancer patients
The Oak Brook Park District Annual Pink 5k Run/Walk steps off at 8 p.m. May 10 the Oak Brook Park District Recreation Center, 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook.
The race, which will be chip-timed through Central Park, is family friendly and teams are welcome. Online registration, which ends May 9, costs $35 per person. Day-of registration fee is $40. Teams, which must be at least 15 people, have a registration fee of $30 per person.
All registration fees will be donated to the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation Open Arms Breast Cancer Outreach Fund, which was established in 2011 to help breast cancer patients and their families via free mammograms to women in need because they don't have insurance or it isn't sufficient.
Individual packets may be picked up from 4 to 7 p.m. May 8 and 9 at the Family Recreation Center, 1450 Forest Gate Road. Race day pack pickup is from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. Team captains may pick up packets regular hours May 7 to 9 at the Family Recreation Center by checking in at the front desk. None will be mailed.
Information and registration are at runsignup.com/Race/IL/OakBrook/OakBrookPink5k
Nazareth Academy to host fine arts showcase
Fine arts students at Nazareth Academy will present Scenes & Sounds Open House Showcase from 5 to 9 p.m. May 7 at the school, 1209 W. Ogden, La Grange Park.
Attendees can explore galleries of student work, meet fine arts faculty and interact with student artists. Musical performances include a choral concert at 6:15 p.m. and a band concert at 7:30 p.m. The event is free.
The academy is a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory high school that serves families from 60 communities, was established in 1900 and sponsored by the congregation of St. Joseph. Information is at 708-354-0061.
Oak Park association schedules talk on hunter-gatherer societies
A retired medical researcher and urologist interested in evolutionary psychology will discuss recent anthropological findings about hunter-gatherer societies during the Evolution of Human Language, Aesthetics and Free Will at 1:15 p.m. May 4.
The program, presented by the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, takes place in the second-floor ballroom of its headquarters at 178 Oak Forest Ave., Oak Park. Walters has coauthored and written papers about evolutionary psychology.
The session is free and open to the public, although donations are appreciated. The association promotes lifelong learning through multicultural programs featuring science, literature, music, art and the social sciences. Information is at www.nineteenthcentury.org,