Reacting to the violent holiday weekend that saw 11 people killed in over 60 shootings (and a stabbing thrown in for good measure), Mayor Daley took to the defensive, citing other reasons rather than the diversion of police to cover the Taste of Chicago (which had its own issues). Namely, the mayor blamed alcohol and the warmer weather for the outbreak.
The Taste has come and gone (and, once more, left a wake of controversy over violence at the event) but we're going to bid adieu to this year's fest with a gallery of some of the better, happier moments caught on camera.
After an exceptionally violent weekend, some people are wondering if violence may have been worse than the city wants us to think. The anonymous police watchdog blog, Second City Cop, compiled their stories from the field at Taste and noted that the fireworks may have started half an hour early to stave off more violence. Mike Doyle rounded up comments and reports from the city, the media and the blogosphere on his Chicagosphere blog. Doyle's point is a good one: the disparity between eyewitness reports and ones filtered by City officials through the media can differ greatly.
The annual 10-day long Taste of Chicago celebration saw a slight attendance drop this year as the Tribune reports that the City is estimating 3.35 million people visited Grant Park for the food and fun. The estimate is down compared to last year's estimated 3.5 million visitors. Of course, given the cool, cloudy weather that coincided with much of the fest - not to mention a wet Fourth of July - the decrease is considered minimal. Estimates also kept this years attendance at the July 3rd fireworks show at about the usual million or so people down at the lakefront.
More than 30 people were arrested at the Taste of Chicago and around Grant Park Friday, according to Chicago Breaking News and Sun-Times reports. Of that number, four were arrested for carrying guns (including a 15-year-old male with a sawed-off shotgun in his backpack) and two were arrested for carrying knives. Only two people were arrested on Saturday for misdemeanor charges, according to the Sun-Times. The first gun arrest for the 2009 Taste happened last Saturday, the Sun-Times reports.
We were excited to go out and actually see the Counting Crows live - if only to watch the bouncing dreads of Adam Duritz in person and marvel at their plasticine uniformity.
The Windy Citizen visited the Taste of Chicago this weekend and, among other amusing and interesting observations, they noticed a certain Mayor who had his name plastered everywhere.
Broadway in Chicago is not the most recession-friendly institution, but it's taking a break from its tickets prices tonight. During Taste of Chicago, Broadway in Chicago will present a concert featuring its current and upcoming big-budget musicals. (You can finally see part of Jersey Boys!) Original Broadway stars of Mary Poppins Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee, Roger Bart from Young Frankenstein, and yes, the entire cast of Jersey Boys will be there.
It appears that Chicago Police Department's efforts to increase security at this year's Taste of Chicago is working: a man was arrested as he attempted to bring a loaded gun into the festival on Saturday. Police said they were "acting on a tip" when they found a "9mm handgun on Shrome D. George," according to the Tribune. The 25-year-old Michigan City, Ind. resident has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and other weapons charges; he has a bond hearing today.
After last year's shoot-out at the OK Corral in the Loop following the fireworks at the Taste of Chicago, and Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis being raked over the coals for it, police aren't taking any chances this year and are upping security. According to Chicago Breaking News, some of the measures will include:
Taste of Chicago starts tomorrow just a little bit smaller. Only 54 vendors will be serving the teeming masses descending on Grant Park for the next 10 days. That might actually turn into a postivie.
Zagat's 2009/10 Chicago Restaurants survey hits shelves Thursday and just in time for Taste of Chicago to start. To get the word out, Zagat is sponsoring a dining pavilion at this year's Taste, hosting a culinary competition at the festival and hosting a four-course meal tomorrow night.
The annual Taste of Chicago fest doesn't start until Friday but street closures in and around Grant Park have already gone into effect. According to ABC 7, Columbus is closed between Balboa and Monroe while Jackson is closed between Michigan and Lake Shore Drive. Also, Congress is closed between Michigan and Columbus. Plan accordingly. For CTA bus reroutes, be sure to check the CTA's alerts page.
In an effort to improve traffic flow throughout downtown, the Mayor's Office of Special Events announced yesterday that Taste of Chicago will have 15 percent fewer food vendors this year. The emphasis on improving traffic flow means that only 55 food vendors will be presenting their wares at the annual event, starting June 26. Other proposed changes to the event are a continuation of the "healthy" options the city encouraged vendors to serve last year and a requirement for vendors to serve a minimum of two smaller and less expensive "taste-of" portions geared for folks who can't or don't want to handle the giant turkey legs so synonymous with Taste. Those turkey legs may be in danger of decreasing, as well. Manny's Deli, which has turkey legs on its menu, hasn't made a full commitment to this year's event.
Lost in the chatter over Lollapalooza 3-day passes, the Flaming Lips playing Pitchfork (but not taking requests), and bankruptcy call-outs at both major dailies was yesterday's announcement that Ne-Yo, Buddy Guy, Counting Crows, and the Wallflowers will be headlining this year's Taste of Chicago along with a major player to be named later.
Yesterday, the mayor (finally) responded to the gang violence at the Taste this year. "We had 3.5 million people. It's only one shooting—and all of the sudden, you're describing it as chaotic. It's not chaotic. ... This is very safe," said Daley. The mayor, who was at an Academy of Achievement conference in Florida when the shootings took place, said that the police were present at the Taste, but were powerless to stop the violence.
Columbus Drive is safe for cars once again. Taste of Chicago is done for another year and city officials are declaring it a rousing success. As though they would say anything different.
But police sources said there was an undeniable gang presence at the annual food fest Thursday. Many gang members openly flashed gang signs. The problem has grown worse in recent years, the source said.
There have been a lot of things said on this site about Taste of Chicago over the years. There are over 750,000 people who head downtown every year to sun, frolic and get their fill of giant turkey legs and corn on sticks. 'Course, that isn't all Taste of Chicago has to offer; even with Chicago Gourmet set to launch in September, Taste is still the food event for the everyman.
"Some of the restaurants had a difficult time with this. But I say, if you fry a vegetable, it's still a vegetable," stated Megan McDonald, executive director of the Mayor's Office of Special Events.
[Rodriguez said,] “We’re known for great jazz and great blues. We’re known for sports and…great food. How do you make the Chicago airport system reflective of that? How often do entertainers have an opportunity to come and play given concerns with safety and security? It’s very challenging to try and just open the doors for anyone to come and perform in the airport…But I’m sure we can develop a plan to try and give our traveling public …more of what Chicago has to offer.”
Our summer to-do list just got better: Get a tan. Ride our new bike. Listen to a live performance of “Part Time Lover” while eating 10-ticket pizza with 3 million people! Stevie Wonder is set to return to the Taste of Chicago on June 28, twenty long years after the last time he played our little local tourist trap festival of food.
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