Chicago's newest food festival got a very Chicago welcome: rain, wind, live music and plenty of sandwiches piled high with beef. Despite a soggy Saturday that left parts of Jefferson Memorial Park muddy, crowds kept showing up for the inaugural Italian Beef Fest.
Heavy rain and strong winds damaged tents and merchandise Saturday, according to CBS Chicago. By Sunday, conditions had improved enough for mud to become the main obstacle as the three-day event continued in Jefferson Park.
Italian Beef Takes Center Stage
The festival was built around one of Chicago's most recognizable meals, with participating vendors offering their own versions of the slow-roasted beef sandwich. According to Special Events Management, the lineup included Bust Outs, Byron's Hot Dogs, Carm's Little Italy, Chef Ciccio, Genoa Italian Concessions, Leona's Restaurant and Trogo Kitchen Market.
Attendees were invited to sample the sandwiches and vote for the Best Italian Beef Sandwich, with the usual Chicago choices in play: dipped, dry, or loaded with hot and sweet peppers. The food-centered format gave neighborhood regulars a chance to debate the city's most important question without needing a ballot box or a deep-dish detour.
Tribute Bands And Family Activities Filled The Park
The inaugural festival also featured two stages of entertainment, a Kid Zone, crafters, exhibitors and other family programming, according to the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce. The chamber listed admission at $10 per day, with children 17 and younger admitted free with a paid parent or guardian.
Sunday's schedule included Bucket Number Six, The Wild Chicago, Simply Elton and The Chicago Experience on the main stage, while Jefferson Park Songwriters were slated for the Jefferson Park Forward stage, per festival organizers. In other words, the weekend offered a soundtrack for eating beef sandwiches in the park, even when the park itself was still a little damp.
For Jefferson Park, the festival's first run turned a familiar neighborhood gathering into a celebration of a distinctly Chicago food tradition. The weather may have left behind damaged tents and muddy ground, but it did not appear to scare off diners willing to balance a juicy sandwich, a paper plate and a pair of shoes they probably liked.
