From Humble Beginnings to a Mighty Taste...of Chicago!

I remember it like yesterday. My apartment was just three blocks from North Michigan Avenue - a.k.a., the Magnificent Mile - and yet I had not heard about it; that is, until my neighbor John, who lived in my building down on the 33rd floor, called to tell me that Michigan was blocked off from Ohio Street to the Chicago River.

He went on to say that something was going on with food vendors. So we gathered a mutual friend and the three of us walked over to check out what was happening in our "hood". That was on the Fourth of July, and the year was 1980!

We later found out that a group of restaurateurs had approached the Mayor of Chicago with the idea of a food festival on the Fourth of July. With a budget of $150,000 and high confidence that the event could possibly attract up to 75,000 people, plans for the one day food fest was started. The festival was held in a three-block area of Michigan Avenue bordered by the Chicago River, the upscale stores and buildings that were then beginning to grace the Magnificent Mile and the architectural wonders of the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower. The one day event was a gigantic success! 250,000 attended that first "Taste" and food and soda sales grossed $330,000. The hugh success was destined to change the way Chicago celebrates Independence Day. And from this humble beginning, the mighty Taste of Chicago - as we know it today - would evolve.

Held annually in Chicago during the last week of June, through the Fourth of July, the Taste of Chicago is the world's largest food festival and it is the second largest tourist attraction in Illinois. For ten days, this free-admission festival, which is now in its 27th year, ignites the city with exhilaration and excitement as it reaches a climatic attendance crescendo on July 3rd - when over one million people attend and simultaneously enjoy the city's Independence Eve fireworks
display.

Seasoned Taste fans know that Grant Park is the place to be on July 3 for the Macy's Independence Eve Fireworks Extravaganza. This spectacular show - which is preceded at 8 p.m. by a concert of the Grant Park Orchestra - takes place at dusk off the downtown shore of Lake Michigan. It is ranked among the most impressive Independence Day pyrotechnic displays in the United States.

This year, one unique feature of the Taste of Chicago includes The Daily Special. This is an opportunity to enjoy something delicious from a different restaurant each day at the Daily Special Tent west of Buckingham Fountain.

Also, the International Pavilion allows attendees to enjoy food, performances, games and activities from every continent! And, I might add, The Children's exhibit for Disney Pixar's movie Ratatouille, pronounced (rat-a-too-ee), was a big draw. I found their Pizza "Rat" Recipe to be quite an attention getter.

As of this writing - since the 2007 Taste of Chicago ended today, 7/8/07 - the attendance and sales totals are still being tallied...with the complete expectation of breaking the 2006 record 3.6 million attendees and over $12 million in sales revenue.

From humble beginnings to the mighty Taste of Chicago, this ever evolving festival continues to excite and exceed expectations. Now, let me tell you about the awesome additions for next years "Taste"...well, better yet, check it out for yourself. I'll see you June 27 - July 6, 2008!