(L) Interior of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Emil Bach house from last year’s Open House event. (R) Nick peruses the pie selection at the 2011 Bucktown Apple Pie Contest.

Just thought I’d share a couple local Chicago happenings for the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, the Chicago Architecture Foundation is holding its annual Open House Chicago event. Get behind-the-scenes access to over 150 buildings that you don’t normally get to experience. More than 150 places are opening their doors for free and with no reservations (watch out for long lines at popular locations). Most are open from 9-5, but hours vary at some locations. Check out the Open House Chicago website for details.

Sunday is also the 8th annual Bucktown Apple Pie Contest. Come to the Holstein Park fieldhouse from 2-5pm to sample pies from 168 local bakers. A few dollars can get you a slice of pie, a beverage and some high-quality people watching. Show up early if you want the best selection, as the pies usually sell out quickly. Hopefully the sun will shine so the outdoor music, beverages and pony rides will be more enjoyable. Yes, there are really pony rides.  It’s like a little slice of Americana lands in the middle of Chicago for three hours.

As a nice bonus, it’s also going to be a near-peak weekend for fall colors according to the Weather Channel. Grab a pumpkin beer or coffee and enjoy it!