Dining Chicago

Hear corny jokes and facts about the Illinois staple crop from these giant cobs during Great Performers of Illinois, today through Monday. Chicago artist Catherine Schwalbe-Bouzidecorn created the costumes.

This weekend’s Great Performers of Illinois festival in Millennium Park is about more than music. Yes, there will be concerts from the likes of Dennis DeYoung of Styx and the Grant Park Music Festival. A variety of actors also feature, both onstage and around the park, ranging from “Charlie Chaplin by the Dozen” to the Cornettes, who’ll crack corny jokes and bend your ear about one of Illinois’ most important crops.

You can also wander the A-Maize-ing Corn Maze’s nearly 6,000 stalks and pick up kernels of knowledge about this state staple as you meander the puzzle. (It does seem unfair, though, that soybeans don’t get equal billing.)

Even better, stop by The Plaza at Park Grill from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday for a free tasting of Illinois wines from Alto Vineyards of Alto Pass, August Hill Winery of Utica, Fox Valley Winery of Oswego, Lynfred Winery of Roselle, Prairie State Winery of Genoa and Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery of Chicago.

Park Grill Chef Bernie Laskowski has also created a variety of Illinois-inspired dishes focusing on local produce and ingredients for sale during the Great Performers of Illinois weekend, including chilled corn soup with crawfish and curry oil and slow-cooked pork with apple ginger glaze, and slow-cooked greens (Park Grill dining room), parmesan and truffle popcorn with black pepper (Park Grill bar), beer braised brats with caramelized onions and violet mustard (Plaza outdoor grill) and corn on the cob with salted butter (park-wide concessions).

An Illinois Marketplace showcases goods from artists and artisans from around the state, including locally produced food products from Misericordia Hearts & Flour Bakery, Rare Bird Preserves, Chicago Honey Co-op and The Spice House.

The festival continues through Monday and admission is free.