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Chicago Weekend Events 3/4-3/6: Charity Madness, Youth Sports & Grown-Up Prom

WEEKEND PLANS: An Icy Dip And Prom For Grown-Ups
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Logan Square community organizer

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Sure, the weather isn't supposed to be that great this weekend, but there's plenty going on around the city to lift your winter gloom, and a lot of it's for a good cause to boot.

There's a no-holds-barred shopping cart race that's also a food drive, a cold plunge in Lake Michigan that benefits the Special Olympics and a prom that goes to support a reading center. Plus, a commemorative march for the unemployed, a head-scratching movie explained and more.

Any amazing events we left out? Let us know in the comments section below.

Chicago Weekend Events 3/4-3/6: Charity Madness, Youth Sports And Grown-Up Prom
Chiditarod(01 of04)
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It's that time of year again, when hundreds of Chicagoans dress in outrageous costumes, decorate supermarket shopping carts full of canned food for charity, and race around the city in the celebration of the absurd known as Chiditarod. The event's website defines it as "the annual Chicago-based phenomenon that combines elements of the Alaskan Iditarod with Chicago's finest brand of debaucherous social activism. One part food drive, one part pub-crawl, one part costumed race, all parts radtacular."As you can see from the Viking cart, people take this thing pretty seriously. It's too late to participate, but just watching the madness (and taking part in the drinking) will be plenty fun. What: ChiditarodWhen: Starting horn sounds at 12 p.m. SaturdayWhere: The "epic" starting line is at the corner of Wolcott and Hubbard.Price: Free to watch! (credit:Flickr:kintopp)
Polar Plunge(02 of04)
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Here's an extreme charity event it's not too late to take part in: a plunge into the icy waters of Lake Michigan. Register online and raise $125 in sponsorship cash by Sunday morning and you can join hundreds of fellow lunatics running into the water. Proceeds go to the Special Olympics.What: Chicago Polar PlungeWhen: Sunday at 10 a.m.Where: The North Avenue Beach, 1600 N. Lake Shore DrivePrice: Minimum $125 in fundraising dollars raised (credit:Flickr:rengel134)
Golden Gloves(03 of04)
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For those who've never seen it live, youth boxing is a hell of a thing. The kids fight with a passion and energy that pros don't always bring to the ring, and the range of styles and talents makes for great entertainment. This year's Golden Gloves tournament should be no exception -- the legacy of Chicago Golden Gloves winners includes Cassius Clay (might know him as Muhammad Ali), Joe Louis, Sonny Liston, and plenty of other boxing legends. Except the stakes are higher than usual this time around: the winners go to the national championships in Indiana, where champions get to try out for the U.S. Olympic Team.Thursday was the opening night of the tournament, but bouts go on all this weekend, and the two weekends following.What: Golden Gloves Boxing TournamentWhen: Friday and Saturday, starting at 7:30 p.m.Where: Gordon Tech, 3633 N. CaliforniaPrice: $10 (credit:Flickr:familymwr)
826CHI "Promme"(04 of04)
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826CHI is a nonprofit writing and tutoring center that's the local branch of Dave Eggers's nationwide literacy project. The organization raises money in part by sharing space with "The Boring Store," a spy-gear shop on Milwaukee Avenue, but it also hosts a number of fundraisers throughout the year, including an annual prom. This year's theme is British -- the event is called "Keep Promme and Carry On." A ticket to the event "includes refillable pints of the choicest brews from Haymarket pub, potato crisps and other snacks, a performance by Rod Stewart (impersonator extraordinaire Steve Bobbitt), silent auction (for items like tickets to Bonnaroo and Wait Wait Don't Tell Me among others), more music and dancing, dancing, dancing," according to the 826 website.Need proof that it's a good time? Look at all those smiling faces from 2006's "One Night of Magic."What: 826CHI Prom FundraiserWhen: Saturday, 8 p.m.Where: Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, 1419 W Blackhawk St.Price: $40 (credit:Flickr:826 Chicago)

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