West Fest July 11, 2009

There is something for everyone at West Fest, the Chicago street fair that reflects the eclectic persona of its West Town environs. Held on Saturday, July 11th and Sunday, July 12th on Chicago Avenue at Damen, the annual two-day party features live cutting edge music and mixes on three stages, a family fun area, pet activities, Miss Illinois USA 2009 and a multitude of booths from popular neighborhood restaurants and retailers. What makes this fest unique is that it’s locally planned and managed by the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce, thus the emphasis is all-things “local,” from the food to the talent.

The Music
A biggest difference between West Fest and other cookie-cutter Chicago street festivals is the high quality music. West Fest is all about local artists playing original music on three stages. Featured headliners in the past have included world-renowned groups like Urge Overkill, The Redwalls, Meat Puppets, The Ponys, Califone, and The Waco Brothers; plus the city’s top DJ’s. This year West Fest welcomes homegrown powerhouse LOCAL H – hot off their latest album, Twelve Angry Months, to the main stage on Saturday night; while Chicago blues-alt-rockers Red Red Meat close things out on Sunday. The full weekend lineups on all three stages are as follows:

 The Main Stage (at Chicago & Damen):

Saturday July 11
8:30 Local H
7:00 Mucca Pazza
5:45 Liquid Soul
4:30 Caos
3:15 Couple Skate
2:00 Peace Keeper
12:45 Fluid Minds

Sunday, July 12
8:45 Red Red Meat
7:45 Aluminum Group
6:45 Richard Edwards of Margot & The Nuclear So and So's with Brian Deck
5:45 The 1900s
4:45 The Vulgar Boatmen
3:30 Freak Easy
2:15 Sex Fist
1:00 Ian Torres Big Band
 BassByThePound Dj Stage Hosted by BBP (at Chicago & Wood):

Saturday, July 11
8: 30 Dj Craze
7:30 Million $$ Mano
6:30 DJ Zebo
5:45 Mark Gertz
5:00 Willy Joy
4:00 Dj MTM
3:00 Justin Reed
hosted by Hollywood Holt

Sunday, July 12
8: 30 Derrick Carter
7:30 Diz

6:30 John Mork of TSR
5:45 The Beat Giants
5:00 John BID Simmons
4:00 Striz


 The Adventure Stage Chicago Kid Fest Stage (at Wolcott & Rice):

Saturday, July 11
5:00 Jeanie B!
4:00 Chang’s Martial Arts Demo Team
3:15 Kiara
2:45 Commercial Park Rock Band
1:45 Mad Science
1:00 Rock and Roll Dad
12:00 Mr. Singer

Sunday, July 12
5:15 Jason Kollum (variety juggling)
4:30 Scribble Jim
3:45 The Mime Company
3:15 Commercial Park Rock Band
1:30 The Schnozberries
12:45 Pullman Park Jazz Improv (Rock for Kids)
12:00 Hogwash IO

The Vendors
West Fest features a plethora of neighborhood boutiques, restaurants and fine artists who set up temporary shop along Chicago Avenue – offering deals on everything from designer duds to fresh dishes and ice-cold drinks. This year there’s the all new, West Fest Fashion Show on the LAVA DJ Stage at 2pm on Sunday featuring fashions by Soko Fashion and hair and make-up by Chicago Avenue Salon. There will also be a Free Bike Valet sponsored by the Active Transportation Alliance and Special Service Area #29 (on Rice Street at Wood).

The Activities
Underlining the claim that there is truly “something for everyone at West Fest,” West Fest’s Pet Fest and Kid Fest (both located in designated areas within West Fest) are always big draws. Kid Fest (on Wolcott & Rice) features family programming and live kid music on the Adventure Stage Chicago Stage, crafts, pony rides, bounce houses, face painting and more. Pet Fest (on Wolcott at Chicago) features pet product vendors, canine bathing pools and plenty of pet activities.

To top it off, Miss Illinois USA 2009 Ashley Bond will conduct a meet and greet with the public outside the VIP tent on Sunday from 4pm to 6pm.

The History
West Fest began in 2004 with 40 vendors and one live music stage and has grown ever since. Last year there were over 80 vendors, two live music stages, one DJ stage and over 20,000 attendees.

There is a $5 donation requested for admittance to offset the costs of the event and to benefit the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce and West Town’s Commercial Park. Hours of operation both days are noon to 10pm. For more info, call 312-850-9390 or visit www.westfestchicago.com.

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Official Website: http://www.westfestchicago.com