There'll be swingin', swayin' and records playin' and dancin' in the streets. We're channeling Martha and the Vandellas ever since we heard that Uptown is the new home of the Windy City Ribfest. It's all happening from Friday, July 16, at 5pm until Sunday, July 18, at 10pm, and will take place on Broadway between Leland and Lawrence.
According to the promoter, "The best local and national ribbers will mix it up with three days of classic and cutting-edge music acts at this second annual festival that's destined to become an iconic summer event. It also features arts, crafts and other vendors."
How much for just one rib?
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean that the Ribfest that's been taking place at Damen/Irving/Lincoln for the past few years is kaput?
ReplyDeleteCan you break a hundred?
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing they will charge the same as every other festival in the city.
ReplyDeleteIt will be nice to see a festival to draw some commerce to the area. Other neighborhoods wouldn't host these year after year if they didn't do some good.
Bring it on! Maybe Target will consider sponsoring the event, including the added security that will surely be needed if we do not do something to tame the violence NOW.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I would love for good folks outside the hood to bring their appetites and $$$ to our community and see the best we have to offer.
I sure hope the promoter is wise and encourages visitors to exit on Lawrence, NOT WILSON, on the Red Line! First impressions matter, and open air drug markets, people urinating on the windows of businesses, and boarded up businesses are not exactly screaming "Welcome - You are safe here in Uptown!"
This is great news! I always thought this part of Broadway would be a perfect spot for a street fair. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteWell I believe this is in Mary Ann Smith's ward.
ReplyDeleteMethinks Shiller would likely oppose this type of thing. Unless of course 100 percent of the ribs could be set aside for low-lowest income folks. In which case the ribs would likely cost the taxpayers approximately $400 thousand per rib plate. Of course it would be TIF money and as we all know that is like manna from heaven and is not really tax money.
Of course then we would have to start a Fix RibFest group to try to stop this waste of non taxpayer manna from heaven money. Don't even ask me to explain the concept of "laches" because this is Cook County and as such is not really part of the American legal system.
Later Shiller would announce that an empty former social service building is being turned into a Pig Farm so that in the future Uptown Ribfest could be locally "grown".
Hearing the word "pig" would excite Shiller as she would think she was back in Madison protesting the Vietnam War.
Or perhaps not.
Will they be bringing in carnival games? Like maybe a shooting gallery? Oh, that's right. They have that all summer long here.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, good to see a street fest in the neighborhood, even if it isn't the 46th ward.
@WindyCityEagle... You just made my day!
@IP... Sorry to interrupt your Black Panther party, Miss Shiller.
@ Gayle, the Lincoln ave fest is still going on. From what we were told, this event is actually a competition.
ReplyDeleteawesome awesome awesome awesome awesome!
ReplyDeleteNot to be a party pooper, but what are the plans for parking over the 3 days? Living near here, I know parking can be a hassle when concerts are at the Riv and Aragon. I would assume this to be just as big but lasting 3 days. IIRC most areas with street festivals are in areas surrounded by permit parking, which is lacking here.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, I want some ribs (I just want to park within a few blocks of home too.)
hopefully Borders bookstore will get on in the action.
ReplyDeleteThis is the 46th Ward, no? The 48th Ward is north of Lawrence, whereas this street festival will be south of Lawrence to Leland.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, I agree with Miss Kitty - this should be a perfect location for a street fair, can't wait!
No, Hollywood Beach, it's the 48th Ward there. It's a weird little cut-out that allows MA Smith to have the area encompassing the Uptown Broadway Building, at Leland and Broadway. Yet Shiller has 4848 Winthrop, just a block east and further north.
ReplyDeleteUptown and Street Fest means local businesses need to be vendors, right?
ReplyDeleteWell, I've just contacted the folks in charge via e-mail and I'll let you know what happens.
If you don't see The Cupcake Gallery there in July, then you know something fishy has happened!
By the way, UU, can we get a post saying goodbye to Mike Donaldson? He's the American Family Insurance Guy that occupied space right across the alley from me. He's moved his offices to 2400 North on Fullerton.
He was a great guy.
Darius, if we don't see the Cup Cake Gallery there it is because you decided not to join in.
ReplyDeleteLocal vendor booths are available from the Chamber. This is our first fest and we are hoping for a great turnout but are being cautiously optimistic.
The details are still being worked out but there will be plenty of opportunities for local vendors and sponsors.
Paul - I've e-mailed back and for this one of your guys (Alan) I think is his name. I've got the application and will be applying as a vendor! I can't wait!!!
ReplyDelete@ WindyCityEagle......LOL!
ReplyDelete@ UptownDweller.....break it down at McD's around the way. They won't sell you one McNugget but buy the nugget Happy meal (cheapest route) and you'll have change for one rib.
ReplyDeleteYa'llz crazay!
So this ISN'T in the 46th Ward?
ReplyDeleteThen I can leave my Oxy-Clean and Urine-Be-Gone at home?!
Darius; can you make bbq-flavored cupcakes?!
ReplyDelete