Downtown West Chicago will once again come alive with the sights, sounds, and tastes of the annual West Chicago Food Festival on Saturday, August 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. The community event promises a flavorful evening featuring a wide variety of food vendors, live music, and family-friendly activities for all ages.
The evening begins at 4 p.m. with live music on the main stage along Galena Street. Kicking off the entertainment is Soul Sacrifice, followed by 28 Days at 5:30 p.m. with a set packed with crowd favorites. At 7 p.m., Beyond the Blonde will take the stage, offering a lively close to the night’s music lineup
In addition to the music, the event will feature plenty of activities to keep families entertained throughout the evening. Face painters, balloon artists, and caricaturists will be on hand to provide creative fun, while a juggler will perform from 5 to 6 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., the always-popular Funny Little People will bring their whimsical act to the streets. Guests can also stop by the sand art station to create a colorful keepsake or visit the photobooth to capture the moment.
Of course, no food festival is complete without the food. More than 15 vendors will offer a variety of dishes, from cheesy pizza and street tacos to gelato, jerk chicken, and sizzling ribeye sandwiches. Adults 21 and over can enjoy cold beverages available for purchase from Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill.
Participating vendors include Aunt Tina's Sound Bites, Cousins Maine Lobster, Dave's Atomic Hot Sauce with Garlic, Dave’s Holy Smokes BBQ, D's Treats & Ice Cream, Flyin Hawaiian, Grumpy Gaucho, Hello Boba, Jesse's Gelato, Kernel Dan's Kettle Corn, Mamalicious Jerk N Curry Food Truck, Nick's Pizza Truck, Sno Problems, Stix and Noodles, Sugar and Shine Cookies, Taco Shop, TacoGyro LLC, and Yummy Food Time. Vendors are subject to change.
Admission to the festival is free. Guests are encouraged to bring their own seating for comfort. Outside food, drinks, and coolers are not permitted.
More information, including updates and the full schedule, can be found at westchicago.org/foodfestival.
Road Closures & Parking
Visitors should note that Galena Street between Main Street and High Street, and Main Street from Turner Street to W. Washington Street, will be closed to traffic from 11 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, August 23. Turner Court will be open to residents only via Washington Street, with one-way traffic reversed during the event.
Public parking is available at: 508 Main Street (Metra Station), 101 Main Street, 103 W. Washington Street, 157 W. Washington Street, 306 Main Street, 124 Fremont Street, 222 Chicago Street, and the Turner Court Parking Lot.