Taste of Chicago 2017
Iconic Buckingham Fountain, dazzling Lake Michigan and the magnificent skyline form the backdrop to the five day event in Grant Park, July 5-9. This affair is a dream for foodies and those that want to try something new. Want to taste some of the best food in Chicago? This is the best place to go.
History
The Taste of Chicago started in 1980. The original idea was brought about by a group of restaurants that wanted a food festival over the Fourth of July weekend. The event used to be held along the Chicago River and only consisted of three blocks on N. Michigan Avenue. The festival was so huge that first year that it had to be moved over to Grant Park the following years in order to accommodate everyone. Today it is known as one of Illinois’ largest tourist attractions.
The Food
At the Taste of Chicago there will be everything from fine dining to more traditions items like hot dogs, pizza and hamburgers. You can try everything from Chinese to Indian to American foods.
Activities
Before, during and after eating, many attendees grab a comfortable spot on a nearby curb and do some serious people watching. You’d be amazed at some of the attendee’s behavior along with their clothing choices. If you are looking for something more interactive to do, enjoy one of the local bands that will be playing. You can also enjoy celebrity chef demonstrations as they not only share some of their favorite cuisines, but let you in on some of their cooking tips. A favorite event among attendees is the Celebrity Chef du Jour where guests can sit down for a three course meal. The cost for this event is $45 per person. For the kids, there is a Family Village that features special activities just for the little ones.
Concerts
Many people come to the Taste of Chicago for the food, but stay for the concerts. The Petrillo Music Shell has many lawn seats that are free of charge. If you are worried about not seeing the show, there is a screen that broadcasts what’s happening on the stage. There are also concert seats available that start at $15, dependent on the concert.
Tips
There will be a lot of long lines. If you want to avoid some of the crowds, your best bet is to attend the event on the weekdays. If you do see a venue that is very crowded, most likely it’s because there is a good dish there that you really should try.
Tickets
You don’t need a ticket to attend the Taste of Chicago. You do have to purchase food and beverages with a ticket and most of them cost between 2 and 12 tickets each. A strip of 12 tickets costs $8.50.
