Chicago Festivals including 4th of July Fireworks 2010

The Chicago Mayor's Office of Special Events has released the schedule of special events for 2010. The schedule outlines the changes in festival line ups, including the July 4th Fireworks Display. Earlier there had been reports that the July 3rd Fireworks had been canceled to save money, but that was not the whole story. The Grant Park fireworks display is being replaced by three smaller fireworks shows, one on the north side, one on the south side and one at Navy Pier. The smaller displays will allow people to view the fireworks from a location closer to their own home and avoid the big crowds that gathered at Grant Park. Following is the outline of Chicago festivals for 2010.

The Mayor’s Office of Special Events announced the schedule of free family programming offered by the City for 2010 and outlined changes in events and festivals including a major change to the Independence Day fireworks event.

“Whether it’s in good economic times, or bad, our mission is to do all we can to enhance the quality of life for every Chicagoan and the experience of visiting our city for our tourists and out of towners. But like every level of government, the bad economy has challenged us to do more with less and to even more efficiently manage our limited resources,” said Megan McDonald, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.

“It’s with this in mind that we have rethought many of the events on our schedule and challenged ourselves to improve on a number of our long-time festivals. We’re excited about these changes, which we believe will improve on the experiences that each of our festivals will offer.”

Taste of Chicago

2010 marks the 30th anniversary of Taste of Chicago, the largest of the city’s festivals and one that Chicago is identified with around the world.

Chicago made several enhancements to Taste over the past couple years to add greater value to residents and visitors including a new festival footprint that makes it easier for visitors to move through the venue, and an upscale gourmet area on the Buckingham Fountain table, lunchtime Loop trolleys during the week and a large menu of free programming.

McDonald outlined two major changes that will take place during Taste of Chicago this year:

First, instead of holding one major Independence Day fireworks display in Grant Park on July 3rd, the City will be organizing three coordinated lakefront fireworks displays on July 4th so that residents can more easily enjoy them, closer to their homes. The fireworks display on July 4th will be a coordinated show that includes a central location at Navy Pier as well as a South lakefront location and a North lakefront location. It will begin at 9 p.m.

Second, Taste of Chicago will close at 6 p.m. on both July 3rd and July 4th (Taste of Chicago has always closed early on the final day.) However, the Taste will open everyday at 10 a.m. Taste of Chicago 10 days of free music at Petrillo Music Shell

Independence Day Fireworks / 4th of July

“We recognize that there are many who enjoy the Independence Day holiday in their own communities with friends and family, so we decided this year to bring the fireworks to them. This will result in a more cost efficient celebration and less congestion of people in one site for a more pleasant experience. Additionally, these savings will enable the Office of Special Events to feature name talent every day of the ten-day Taste of Chicago,” added McDonald. Fourth of July fireworks shows by the City of Chicago

Chicago Festival Information

McDonald outlined details regarding the other events/festivals including:

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• The City will move three music festivals from Grant Park to Millennium Park. The previously announced moves are Celtic Fest Chicago, May 8-9 Cetlic Fest on Mother's Day Weekend; íViva! Chicago Latin Music Festival, September 18-19; and the Chicago Country Music Festival, October 9-10.
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• The Chicago Blues Festival and the Chicago Jazz Festival will remain in Grant Park this year and their schedules will remain the same as previously announced. Chicago Jazz Festival four days of free music over Labor Day Weekend
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• Other lakefront events including the Air and Water Show, Bike to Work Day Rally, Kids and Kites, and the Memorial Day Parade will all continue this year and are free and open to the public. Chicago Air and Water Show to rock the skyline
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• Due to the challenging economy this year, the City of Chicago was forced to cancel Venetian Night, the Chicago Criterium, the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival and Great Chicago Places and Spaces.

“We are pleased to roll out a very exciting calendar of events this year. We are proud of our events and festivals and proud of the fact that we remain one of the only major cities in the country to continue to offer free family programming for those who live, work and visit here,” said McDonald.