During World War I, the 17th Ladies’ Auxiliary wanted to assist the war effort by planting a vegetable garden in Streeterville, the fertile lakefront landfill created by Captain George Streeter. But the hard-drinking, scheming curmudgeonly lakeboat skipper claimed it as his own domain, separate from Chicago and even from Illinois. War Garden: An Experiment in Patriotic Agriculture is a family-friendly, outdoor pageant that portrays The Battle of the Cabbage between the Ladies and Cap Streeter using period music, songs and costumes. Running under one hour, War Garden is being performed in city parks to promote community gardens, and features pre-show activities kids will enjoy. War Garden is presented by Walkabout Theater and NeighborSpace (sic), through July 27. Call 773-527-0341; $10 suggested donation. Photo by Seth Bockley