Taste of Chicago 2014: Music Prices Rise
"Taste of Chicago will always be free"~ Mayor Richard M. Daley, 2011
Daley is no longer Mayor of Chicago. Two years ago that changed.
For those unfamiliar with 'The Taste" it's a food festival in Chicago's downtown Grant Park. Been happening for more than 30 years. You can buy tickets and try out food from many of Chicago's restaurants. Lots of the cities favorites have booths. Hot dogs, pizza, Italian beef, and cheesecake. It's also where you can to try out new places and new foods without spending too much money.
Along with the food is a nightly concert. Throughout the years the headliners have included James Taylor, Santana, Stevie Wonder, Steve Miller, Sheryl Crow and Steve Winwood. There are also country, blues and jazz shows. Something for everyone.
There was no admission to the Taste and the shows were also free. First come, first served. That included the actual chairs closest to the stage. The lawn seating was also free.
"Always be free" ended in 2012. The chairs up front cost $25. The rest of the seating was still free.
Two years later, the prices will be rising. The chair section will now be $50. They will also rope off a section of the lawn seating and charge an undetermined as of yet amount. The rest of the 34,00 seats will remain free.
One of the great things about Taste was that in addition to seeing some of your favorites for free, you could go see an artist you might not be so familiar with, also for free. You could get close enough to see what they actually look like. It was a great way to check out new music.
Those days are over.
Families are going to be priced out. They can still sit picnic style, far back on the lawn, but it's not the same experience.
Last year's Taste of Chicago made a profit for the first time in six years. The performers included fun, Robin Thicke, Jill Scott and Robert Plant.
This years acts will be announced in April.