To be a true Chicagoan is to embrace suffering with a smile. We spend hours on the Kennedy Expressway to go a single mile, cheer relentlessly for teams with more losses than wins, and toast it all with Malört. Now, Urban Rivers invites you to celebrate that same indomitable spirit at Piggies on the River, a pigs-in-a-blanket festival set for Friday morning, Jan. 17, at the Wild Mile floating gardens on the Chicago River. Think of it as a foodie’s take on the Polar Bear Plunge—but with pigs-in-a-blanket, hot coffee, and drinking chocolate.

Why Jan. 17? It’s historically the coldest day of the year in Chicago. Naturally, that makes it the perfect time to stand outside, on the water, and savor warm sausages wrapped in flaky pastry dough. Whether you call them pigs-in-a-blanket or pigs-in-a-snuggie, these savory treats will be served from 6 to 10 a.m.

Chef Javauneeka Jacobs of Frontera Grill will prepare sausages donated by Gunthorp Farms, wrapping them in dough provided by Francisco’s Produce. They’ll be grilled on equipment donated by Weber Grills and drizzled with syrup from BLiS Gourmet. Pair it all with brews from Dark Matter Coffee and fresh juices from Greenwood Associates.

This quirky, cold-weather event isn’t just about indulging in comfort food. It shines a spotlight on Urban Rivers’ Wild Mile, a three-year project designed to restore native habitats and improve the environmental health of the Chicago River. The initiative also provides access for kayakers, anglers, and nature lovers. It’s even home to the viral snapping turtle known as Chonkosaurus.

Chicagoans are invited to join the frosty festivities on Friday, Jan. 17, from 6 to 10 a.m. Admission is free, but donations to support Urban Rivers’ ongoing conservation work are encouraged.

Piggies on the River: The Royal Chicago River Pigs-in-a-Blanket Winter Festival Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 | 6 to 10 a.m. Wild Mile at Goose Island www.piggiesfest.com

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