Each year over 3 million people flock to Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois for
one reason, to experience the world's biggest food festival known as the "Taste
of Chicago". "Taste of Chicago" is one of the most unique events that you will
ever see. The 24 year old event is known around Chicago simply as "Taste".
Starting around June 25th of each year, and ending after the 4th of July,
"Taste" is a food lover's dream. You can literally find any kind of
food you could possibly want at the "Taste". From "Eli's" cheesecake to
Alligator, your taste buds will be able to taste different foods from around the
city and around the world. Some of the many foods you can eat at "Taste"
include:
The list of foods served at "Taste" could go on and on. It is safe to say you
would have to visit "Taste" everyday if you wanted to try all of the different
foods served.
There are over 60 restaurants that have food booths setup for the "Taste".
Restaurants and food manufacturers from all over the Chicago land area come to
"Taste" to show off their food and hopefully draw more customers to their dining
establishments throughout the year. Some of the food service and restaurants
that come to taste are:
Ticket sales for "Taste of Chicago" average over 10 million dollars per year.
Tickets can either be purchased prior to "Taste" or purchased at the event.
Tickets are used as money at "Taste"; you purchase tickets from the ticket
booths. Ten dollars will get you 10 dollars worth of tickets. Each year they
usually have a food drive, where, if you bring in certain items for local food
banks, you get so many free tickets. The items and ticket values vary from year
to year, but it is always a welcome influx of food for the Chicago area food
banks.
"Taste of Chicago" is more than just food, far from it actually. Although
food is a big part of "Taste" it has many other events going on within Grant
Park. There are carnival rides and games as well as live music.
Music is a big part of "Taste"; events such as "Chicago
Country Music
Festival" make the outdoor dining at "Taste" more enjoyable. There have been a
number of famous singers and bands perform at "Taste" over the years. Artists
and bands like:
There are also a lot of local bands who get a chance for good exposure by
playing at "Taste". There is always a lot of great music to be found at this one
of a kind event.
Other "Taste" attractions included the White Water Flume sponsored by the
Chicago Tribune, the United Airlines Giant Ferris wheel, and the Cingular
Wireless World Professional Extreme Team High Divers stunt show.
The big event that happens at the "Taste of Chicago" every year happens on
July 3rd. The Chicago fireworks display, is one of the America's best fireworks
shows. Held on the 3rd of July each year, allowing for people to celebrate
the 4th at the "Taste", and still celebrate the 4th in their own hometown. The
fireworks display is a huge draw for crowds. It is televised all over the
Midwest. You can see the huge crowds of people all over Grant Park, Montrose
Harbor, and sitting on curbsides all over Chicago, so they can watch the display
of pyrotechnics. Those people lucky enough to be in Grant Park or those watching
on television get an extra treat during the fireworks display. The Grant Park
Symphony sets up in the Petrillo Music Shell, and plays a medley of wonderful
music before the fireworks show begins, and during the fireworks, The Grant Park
Symphony plays in synchronization with the fireworks on a number of songs, which
all leads up to the grand finale fireworks display. Chorus Director Christopher
Bell leads the Orchestra in the annual performance of "Tchaikovsky's 1812
Overture". The band is playing at a fevered pitch as the fireworks explode
overhead. It is truly a site to see.
If you are ever near Chicago the week of the 4th of July, be sure to stop off
at Grant Park. Make sure you have a big appetite, a taste for great music, and a
love of fireworks. You will have a great time that you will never forget. You
will be able to tell your friends you ate some of the best food you have ever
tasted. "The Taste of Chicago" is something everybody should experience at least
once in their life. Bring the whole family to this event and spend the week
eating to your hearts content.
Source: My many visits to "The Taste of
Chicago"
And
"Taste of Chicago Facts." 2003. | 
