Metra news release:
Kids Ride Free on Metra Memorial Day through Labor Day
Start the weekend holiday early with afternoon getaway service
(May 24, 2016) – Metra announced today that up to three children age 11 and under will be able to ride free with an adult this Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day as part of its expanded “Family Fares” program.
“A trip on Metra is a great opportunity to spend time together as a family without having to worry about traffic and parking,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “Plus, on weekends, Metra’s $8 weekend pass gives you another reason to hop aboard the train this summer. And during this weekend, the weekend pass will be good on Memorial Day, too.”
To help families plan trips on Metra this summer, the agency released a list of June events that are easily reached by train. That list follows this page.
In addition, Metra will offer early getaway trains on Friday, May 27 so customers can get a head start on their holiday plans. Most lines are adding and shifting trains to the early afternoon. Complete details start after the list of June events.
Customers are reminded that Metra will be operating a Sunday/holiday schedule on Memorial Day, which means there will be no service on the North Central Service, Heritage Corridor and SouthWest Service lines.
For more information about events and activities along the Metra system and for complete station and schedule information, please visit www.metrarail.com.
June Events along Metra lines
BNSF
70th Annual LaGrange Pet Parade and Carnival
June 4, 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m., Cossitt Avenue and LaGrange Road, LaGrange
Parade of pets, marching bands, floats, and clowns. Definitely fun for the entire family and free! The LaGrange Carnival is also happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There is a fee for the Carnival.
Rotary Grove Fest
June 23-26, various locations throughout downtown Downers Grove
Bands, dancing, food, a handmade market, and a midway and carnival featuring rides and games to thrill and excite kids of all ages. Entry is free.
Milwaukee North
Annual Block Party at St. Norbert
June 11, 1817 Walters Ave., Northbrook
Kick off the summer season with family and friends. The fun begins at 8 a.m. with a Kid's Fun Run and a 5K Run. Afternoon festivities start at 3 p.m. Kid's corner with games, inflatables and DJ. Live bands all day with headliner at 8 p.m. $5 per person from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; $10 per person after 7 p.m.
Milwaukee West
Festival of the Arts in Bartlett 2016
June 25-26, Bartlett Park, Oak and North Avenues, Bartlett
Art for all including paintings, photography, fiber, sculpture, glass, jewelry, wood and more. There will also be children's art activities in the Bartlett gazebo. Food vendors, wine/beer tent and entertainment stage are featured. Entry is free.
Rock Island
Oak Fest 2016
June 30-July 4, 159th and Central Avenue, Oak Forest (about 1 mile from Oak Forest Station).
Fun bands, great food and carnival rides. Entry is free.
Union Pacific North
71st Annual Winnetka Children's Fair
June 10-11, Village Green, 525 Maple Street, Winnetka
Entry is free. Tickets for rides, games and food will be available for purchase.
Midsommarfest
June 10-12, Clark Street from Foster to Catalpa in Andersonville
A dedicated kids stage will feature local musical favorites. There will also be face painting, a huge inflatable slide and a climbing wall. Suggested donation of $10, kids under 12 and seniors are free.
Union Pacific Northwest
Arlington Heights Frontier Days Festival 2016
June 30-July 4, Recreation Park, 500 East Miner, Arlington Heights
Family activities including music, carnival rides, 4th of July Parade, pony rides, Arts and Crafts Marketplace and so much more! Entry is free.
2016 Taste of Des Plaines
June 17-18, Downtown Des Plaines
Kickoff is Friday, June 17 at 5 p.m. for this family-friendly event that features great food from Des Plaines restaurants. Live entertainment on two stages, with the main stage geared towards adults and teens and a second family friendly stage with live entertainment for all ages. Entry is free.
Union Pacific West
Taste of Wheaton
June 2-5, Wheaton Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave., Wheaton
Food, family programs, carnival rides, children's games and the Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals and Zippity Zoo Run. Entry is free.
Early Getaway Service on Friday, May 27.
BNSF
Extra Service:
· Train 9531, departing Union Station at 12:20 p.m., will provide express service to Downers Grove Main Street and then make all stops to Aurora.
· Three trains will provide early express service to Naperville/Route 59:
o Train 9535 – departs Chicago 2:25 p.m.
o Train 9539 – departs Chicago 3:10 p.m.
o Train 9543 – departs Chicago 3:50 p.m. (will also go to Aurora)
Service Changes:
· Train 1271, the 5:32 p.m. departure, will not operate.
· Train 1241, the 3:21 p.m. departure, will terminate at Downers Grove Main Street.
· Inbound Train 1274 will depart from Downers Grove Main Street, not Aurora.
METRA ELECTRIC
Extra Service:
· Train UPX1 will depart Millennium Station at 1:25 p.m. and will express to 57th Street, then express to Kensington and make all stops from Kensington to University Park.
· Train UPX3 will depart Millennium Station at 2:25 p.m. and will express to 57th Street, then express to Kensington and make all stops from Kensington to University Park.
· Train UPX5 will depart Millennium Station at 3:15 p.m. and express to 57th Street, then express to Kensington and make all stops from Kensington to Matteson.
Service Changes:
· The following trains will not operate:
o 733 – the 4:50 p.m. departure
o 735 – the 5:05 p.m. departure
o 737 – the 5:20 p.m. departure
· The following trains will make combined Kensington through Flossmoor stops:
o 753 – the 4:53 p.m. departure
o 755 – the 5:08 p.m. departure
o 757 – the 5:23 p.m. departure
MILWAUKEE NORTH
Extra Service:
· Train NX01 will depart Union Station at 2:25 p.m., express to Glenview and then make all stops to Fox Lake.
Service Changes:
· Train 2135, the 5:12 p.m. departure, will not operate.
MILWAUKEE WEST
Extra Service:
· Train WX01 will depart Union Station at 3:25 p.m., express to Bensenville and make all stops to Big Timber.
Service Changes:
· Train 2237, the 5:17 p.m. departure, will not operate.
· Train 2239, the 5:23 p.m. departure, will make all stops Bensenville to Big Timber.
ROCK ISLAND
Extra Service:
· Train MX01 will depart LaSalle Street Station at 3:40 p.m., express to Midlothian then all stops to Joliet.
Service Changes:
· Train 415, the 5:15 p.m. departure, will not operate.
SOUTHWEST SERVICE
Extra Service:
· Train SX01 will depart Union Station at 3:40 p.m. and make all stops to Manhattan.
Service Changes:
· Train 831, the 6:15 p.m. departure from Union Station, will not operate.
UNION PACIFIC NORTH
Extra Service:
· Train KX01 will depart the Ogilvie Transportation Center (OTC) at 2:29 p.m., express to Wilmette and make stops to Kenosha except Ravinia Park.
· Train KX03 will depart OTC at 3:15 p.m., express to Wilmette and make stops to Waukegan except Ravinia Park.
· Train KX05 will depart OTC at 5:00 p.m., and make all stops (except Evanston Main Street, Indian Hill, Hubbard Woods, Ravinia Park and Highwood) to Kenosha.
Service Changes:
· Train 341, the 5:03 p.m. departure from OTC, will not operate.
· Train 343, the 5:08 p.m. departure from OTC, will not operate.
· Train 353, the 5:50 p.m. departure from OTC, will not operate.
UNION PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Extra Service:
· Train HX01 will depart OTC at 1:24 p.m., express to Mt. Prospect and make all stops to Crystal Lake.
· Train HX03 will depart OTC at 2:24 p.m., express to Mt. Prospect and make all stops to Harvard.
· Train HX05 will depart OTC at 3:10 p.m., stop at Clybourn, express to Mt. Prospect and make all stops to Crystal Lake
· Train HX07 will depart OTC at 3:26 p.m. and make all stops to Palatine.
Service Changes:
· Train 623, the 3:25 pm departure from OTC, will not operate.
· Train 635, the 4:57 p.m. departure from OTC, will not operate.
· Train 639, the 5:12 p.m. departure from OTC, will not operate.
· Train 641, the 5:16 p.m. departure from OTC, will not operate.
· Train 651, the 6:01 p.m. departure from OTC, will not operate.
· Train 650, an inbound train that arrives at OTC at 4:59 p.m., will not operate.
· Train 637, the 5:06 departure from OTC, and Train 643, the 5:20 p.m. departure from OTC will make an additional stop at Palatine.
· Train 645, the 5:23 p.m. departure from OTC, will make additional stops at Gladstone Park and Norwood Park.
UNION PACIFIC WEST
Extra Service:
· Train GX01 will depart OTC at 2:34 p.m., express to Elmhurst and make all stops to LaFox.
· Train GX03 will depart OTC at 3:34 p.m., express to Elmhurst and make all stops to LaFox.
Service Changes:
· Train 49, the 5:09 p.m. departure from OTC, will not operate.
· Train 55, the 5:34 p.m. departure from OTC, will not operate.
· Train 51, the 5:13 p.m. departure from OTC, will make additional stops at Lombard and College Avenue.
· Train 57, the 5:42 p.m. departure from OTC, will make an additional stop at Oak Park.
