Festival Lineup Changes in Chicago for 2010

The City of Chicago has a history of offering free festivals and public event, especially during the summer months. The Mayor's Office of Special Events has announced major changes in the festival lineup for 2010, including the 4^th of July Fireworks, Taste of Chicago, Celtic Fest, Chicago Country Music Festival and iViva! Chicago Latin Music Festival.

One of the most controversial changes is the cancellation of the Independence Day Fireworks that were held in Grant Park on July 3. Initially some expressed outrage over this change in tradition, which was believed to be because of city finance. Mayor Daley announced that that change was made so that the city could hold three separate fireworks shows for Independence Day. There will be fireworks shows on the north side of Chicago, on the south side of Chicago and at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The change should eliminate some of the problems with massive crowds that gathered in Grant Park for the Fireworks Show and for the Taste of Chicago festival held in Grant Park at the same time. People living in the outlying communities may be more likely to go to the fireworks if they are closer to home, and the fireworks shows on the north and south sides may be more convenient to many. The new format should allow more people to enjoy the city fireworks show, according to Mayor Daley.

The highly popular Taste of Chicago festival is celebrating its 30^th anniversary. This year the festival will be closing at 6:00 PM on July 3^rd and July 4^th, marking an earlier closing time on those days. Chicago has made enhancements to the Taste of Chicago over the past years to make it easier to navigate. A gourmet area has been added on the Buckingham Fountain table. There are lunchtime Loop trolleys during the week. A large menu of free programming and entertainment has been added to enhance the experience.

Three of Chicago's music festivals will be moved from Grant Park to Millennium Park. The festivals that are changing locations are Celtic Fest Chicago (May 8-9), iViva! Chicago Latin Music Festival (September 18-19) and the Chicago Country Music Festival (October 9-10).

The Chicago Jazz Festival will he held in Grant Park, so this festival location has not changed.

Additional Lakefront festivals that will be held include the Air and Water Show, Bike to Work Day Rally, Kids and Kites and the Memorial Day Parade. The Chicago events are free to attend and open to the public.

Unfortunately, the city had to cancel some of the long running festivals that Chicagoans have come to love, due to the economy. The canceled festivals include Venetian Night, the Chicago Criterium, the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival and Great Chicago Places and Spaces.

The Mayor's Office of Special Events of the City of Chicago offers free, family friendly festival events which are open to the public. While there have been major changes in the festival lineup, there continued to be a rich assortment of festivals offered in Chicago.

Source: Mayor's Office of Special Events, City of Chicago

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