New Budget Cuts Into Jazz and Blues Fests

The latest victims of Mayor Daley's 2009 budget? The Chicago Jazz and Blues Fests, each of which will be shortened from four to three days in an effort to save money; the number of stages at both fests will also be reduced. Those aren't the only fests being reduced: the Holiday Sports Festival is being reduced to two days and Great Chicago Places and Spaces, the Viva Latin Music Festival, Celtic Fest and the Mayor's Cup Soccer Festival will all probably be cut to one day. Megan McDonald, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, said, “To be frank, we simply cannot continue moving forward with programs, events and festivals that cost the city of Chicago more to operate than we bring in in revenue...This relates specifically to stages, tents, service areas and contractual services rendered at each event."