Labor Day Weekend Done Right: Toochie’s BBQ, Booze & Boogaloo 2025 Review

Labor Day weekend has a way of sneaking up on you and ending the summer, but you can make it a happy ending with events like Toochie’s BBQ, Booze & Boogaloo. The Bronzecomm team attended and made sure to participate in everything to get the most out of it.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this year's event was going to be a great weekend getaway. The event is a space for joy, connection, and well-earned relaxation. For our team, this was a refreshing pause from the usual hustle, a chance to stretch out on the beach, picnic on the grass, and fully embrace a weekend of fun without the clock dictating our pace.

Friday night kicked off with music that made the dance floor irresistible.

All weekend long, we indulged in mouthwatering food from ribs, jerk chicken, fried chicken, and catfish to collard greens, rice and peas, mac and cheese, and every other side you could imagine.

What you wouldn’t expect is that for $250, this whole weekend, including an open bar each day, all-you-care-to-eat food, a DJ, two opening bands, a headliner band, “The Original Lakeside”, and unlimited connecting, was all inclusive. It was the perfect excuse to overindulge… or come close to the line without going over.

The Italian ice truck was the cherry on top, keeping spirits high and taste buds happy.

What makes Toochie’s truly stand out is the crowd it draws. This event celebrates mature adults who know how to make good, clean fun exciting. Walkers, wheelchairs, scooters, and able-bodied friends all mingled together in an atmosphere of love, respect, and—surprisingly—boogaloo. It’s a dynamic that makes the weekend feel like a reunion, where old friendships are rekindled and new ones are born.

Our founder has a long history of supporting Chicago’s cultural scene, and this event ranks high alongside other sought-after Chicago events, like the African Festival of the Arts, another favorite and long-time Bronzecomm-supported celebration. Like Toochie’s BBQ, our founder Raynard Hall helped both events grow and become well-known annual celebrations.

Both events have left a mark on the city, but there’s something uniquely rejuvenating about a weekend dedicated to music, movement, and meals made by Black-owned businesses, all while surrounded by people who appreciate being part of the enjoyment as much as they appreciate serving.

Attendees came from just down the street, from an hour away, and even across the country. The common thread? Everyone deserves a break after putting in their labor throughout the year. Whether working a job, running a business, or caretaking, it’s important to rest and rejuvenate.

Tickets were priced at $250 this year, making this mini-vacation accessible to folks on a fixed income. Though the cost of putting on the event has increased, the founders are committed to keeping it approachable. Next year, tickets may rise by about $50, but don’t worry—an early-bird option will be available soon.

If you were there, let us know what you loved about the event so we can share it with the planning committee. The event is a reminder that life should be savored, that connection matters, and that sometimes, the best way to honor your labor is to boogie, laugh, eat, and rest.

We’re already looking forward to next year. Make sure you put it on your calendar now, but don’t worry, we’ll remind you.

Your Bronzecomm Team,

Kine' Corder, Editor-in-Chief (left) and Denise Corder Hall, Publisher