North Riverside Park Mall is welcoming the summer season with free family-friendly events and community programming that reinforce its longstanding role as a gathering place for Chicagoland families. The mall will continue offering interactive experiences, local art showcases, affordable entertainment and multigenerational events, including a celebration of dads, educational animal encounters, a lifesaving blood drive and a back-to-school customization workshop. Summer programming highlights include:

• Fairy Tale Fiesta – Saturday, June 6, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Families are invited to celebrate fathers and father figures with princess meet-and-greets featuring Elsa, Anna, Cinderella and Mirabel from “Encanto,” along with music, dancing, games and interactive family activities. The event is free and open to the public.

• Custom Kicks Lab – Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Shoppers can customize sneakers or backpacks ahead of the school year during this hands-on workshop led by local sneaker artist Peter Mullin of Oak Park Kicks. Participants should bring clean or new shoes or backpacks to personalize. All skill levels are welcome.

For more information about summer events or to register to an event, visit northriversideparkmall.com.

Photo Credit: North Riverside Park Mall