BANG BOOM WOW!: How Chicago's Hottest Social Figures Are Keeping Things Cool This Patriotic Weekend

The July 4th holiday weekend has begun and whether you're planning to spend it quietly at a lakefront retreat or at one of the city's breathtaking, outdoor venues, it's the perfect time to kick back and celebrate with friends and loved ones.

Luxe File loves a good party so we asked some of Chicago's top event planners, trendsetters and tastemakers what they'll be doing to put the bang into their patriotic celebrations. From boat parties to BBQs, here's what these notable names have planned:

Bianca Alexander

Co-CEO, Conscious Planet Media

I am heading to a 3-hour meditation today at the Chicago Meditation Group, then heading to a vegetarian BBQ and fireworks with conscious friends in Oak Park on the 4th!

Jessica Altieri

Founder & Host, Wine Channel TV with Just Jess

It's all about BBQ and wine for me this weekend with great friends and family in Chicago! We'll be drinking some of the great, affordable wines I recommended on ABC's new show, Windy City Live - check it out HERE. I'll finish up the weekend with a trip to the racetrack to win big! Cheers!

Vincent Anzalone

Principal, Genuine Entertainment Chicago

Attending the Grey Goose yacht party on Saturday then Sunday night Genuine Entertainment's hosting a party at Studio Paris.

Ari Bendersky

Editor, Eater Chicago

Nothing crazy. Just a few BBQs and maybe some pool time.

Kevin Boehm

Co-Owner, Boka Restaurant Group

Going to the beach with family and friends then cooking a big dinner back at our place!

Lynne Bredfeldt

Director of Public Relations, Park Hyatt Chicago

I am flying back on July 3 (my birthday!) after a week vacationing in Palm Springs with my mother and sister. I am then heading straight from the airport to road trip with friends to Lake Beulah in Wisconsin. Grilling, boating, swimming, fireworks on the lake - the perfect way to celebrate Independence Day!

Philip Chang

Partner, Carbon: PR for Talent

People who measure the world in degrees of calamity bookend it with my chef skills, each time a new lesson in unintended consequences. And so I'm glad to be home in Indiana. Since I'm from the country, we are farm-to-table when it comes to food, something I understand to be trending because of Kerry Shorr's Twitter feed. Thank heaven I'm better at eating than cooking.

D.C. Crenshaw

Host & Executive Producer, Game Time Dine

Chilling with the family this weekend and going to the suburbs to BBQ with friends.

Julie Darling

Principal, Julie Darling, Inc.

Spending time with new friends and old. Keeping it close to home - on the rooftop at the Lake Shore Athletic Club. It's the new East Bank without the pretension!

Amalie Drury

Nightlife Reporter, Chicago Magazine

Tomorrow afternoon I'm going to a Grey Goose-sponsored yacht party on the Perseverance II, and after that the BBQs begin. There are so many over the next three days, I feel like I need to make a BBQ flow chart devoted to keeping track.

Adrienne Eckert Petersen

President, Skirt PR

I know most of the Skirt PR team will be boating this weekend in Lake Geneva and downtown Chicago. I will spend the weekend at my husband's family house in Lake Geneva with my 3-month year old daughter to celebrate her first Fourth! Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

Cassandra Gaddo

Managing Editor & Electronic Media Editor, Today's Chicago Woman

I'm looking forward to a relaxed weekend. I'm taking the train to Milwaukee, where I'm meeting my brother and a few friends for Summerfest and whatever else we happen into. I've never been to either Milwaukee or Summerfest, so I'm excited to check them both out, especially to see how it compares to Lollapalooza and other music fests I've attended. I'll be back into Chicago in time for some barbecuing - a necessity for any summer holiday weekend in Chicago!

Cece Gonzales (left)

President & Co-Founder,

Cece & Melinda with Raymi Productions

Turning my Blackberry off and spending a relaxing weekend with my 

fiancé traveling to Toronto and enjoying    getting out of town for a few days.

Terri Tabor Hickey

Public Relations Director, Four Seasons Hotel Chicago & Ritz-Carlton Chicago

We are driving to Mississippi to spend it with my family. We'll barbecue, shoot fireworks on my parents' farm and then we are ending our trip at Smith Lake, Alabama - where we will enjoy waterskiing. I just love to slalom ski and hope to get my son to ride the inner tube!

Janet Isabelli

Founder, Isabelli Media Relations

East Bank Club for workouts and pool deck time! A little summer shopping - will probably hit up the 900 Shops and would like to pop into Sofia. BBQ at home on our terrace with my hubby and friends (gotta break in our new grill). Hang with friends at at least two restaurants none of us have been to although, per usual, we will probably wind up at The Purple Pig. Then finish reading Life on the Line by Grant Achatz. This weekend is going to fly by!

Justin Jacobson

President, Platinum Events

Every year, I only invite my closest friends to trek out to the suburbs and enjoy a day of grillin' & chillin' at my family's pool. Then we migrate to the Platinum Events home office where we watch the city of Northbrook put on a spectacular fireworks show right in front of the office!

Candace Jordan

Blogger, Candid Candace

Our weekend plans include a yacht party, a backyard BBQ and a house party!

Melinda Joseph (right)

Vice President & Co-Founder, Cece & Melinda with Raymi Productions

I'm also turning my Blackberry off and spending time in the suburbs with my family for a BBQ!

Rebecca Kussmann

CEO & Founder, Bettie Bomb, Inc. Public Relations

We are hosting two parties at our house back-to-back Saturday and Sunday!

Trevian Kutti

Celebrity Stylist, Status Worldwide

Well, all I can say is: "It's great to have friends with big boats!" Boat party Saturday, boat party Sunday and going to eat some BBQ, fried chicken and watermelon on Monday.

Erica Bethe Levin

Co-Founder & Editor-In-Chief, Cheeky Chicago

My boyfriend and I are going to our friend's house (who happens to be a chef) for his annual 4th of July rooftop BBQ, complete with amazing food and fireworks!

Lynn McMahan

Owner/President, Trinity Development LLC

We'll be in Lake Geneva with friends. Boating, long walks and lots of parties around the lake.

Michelle Molise

Principal, Molise PR

I'll be spending the weekend in St. Louis golfing with my husband's family. It's a summer tradition - Heat Stroke Golf!

Amanda Puck

Executive Vice President of Public Relations, XA, The Experiential Agency

It will be a hot one! A yacht party on Saturday, ribs and vodka lemonade BBQ on Sunday and a pig roast at the Oak Street Beach Food + Drink on Monday with my man. And, hopefully, the weather will be amazing the whole time so I can work on my tan!

Lonnie Rodriguez

Principal, Genuine Entertainment Chicago

Starting the weekend right with Mercadito and taking the party and all the fun to Cuvee. Saturday we'll be partying on the boat out in the Playpen and celebrating the Fourth of July at Studio Paris on Sunday. The party starts at 8 p.m. RSVP for a table at: info@genuinechicago.com

Rachel Schwanz

Caterer & Event Planner, The Entertaining Company

I'm taking all calls for the next 72 hours from a jet ski! At my dear friend Kate McLenaghan's lakehouse in Michigan until Sunday, then back to the city and poolside for the 4th. Weather pending! Margaritas, BBQ and tanning lotion for all.

Art Smith

Executive Chef & Restaurateur, The Art Smith Company

My Fourth of July is being spent with my husband, Jesus R. Salgueiro. I have just returned from two weeks of shooting a new pilot for television in Los Angeles and for me, it's about reconnecting to the ones you love. My Jesus needs some "me time" from his own personal chef!

Audarshia Townsend (center)

Features Journalist/Media Personality, 312 Dining Diva

Holiday plans started Thursday at lunch because I finished my last assignments of the week that morning. So in addition to finally getting around to some long-abandoned, around-the-house projects, I'm hanging at the beach, hitting up a few BBQs, cocktailing on friends' rooftops, and catching a live comedy act. It's back to the grind late Monday night!

Sarah Vargo

Founder & President, Maven

I am going to about five birthday parties and some BBQs. If Chicago ever stops resembling Gotham City, I am gonna go to the pool/beach. It seems like everyone I'm close to has a birthday this weekend. Whatever I do, I will be dancing and having a ball with close friends and family!

Elizabeth Sofia Young

Director, Matchmakers of Chicago

My family will be arriving this evening and my niece and nephews are really excited about all of Chicago’s fancy cupcake boutiques so we are going to have cupcakes for breakfast every day! First stop, Sprinkles. Then More, Molly’s and I hope we meet up with the Flirty cupcake van. Saturday we’re packing a picnic and hanging out at Oak Street Beach and Sunday we're going to see the Chicago Cubs-White Sox game at Wrigley Field then relax by the pool. We'll play tourists on Monday and visit Millennium Park, Taste of Chicago and maybe take a Chicago skyline boat tour. We will end the day watching fireworks at Navy Pier.

Luxe File wishes everyone a very happy and safe July 4th weekend!

Posted by Kerry Shorr