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by GoPride.com News Staff

Chicago, IL — Northalsted Market Days, the Midwest's largest outdoor street fest, kicked off Saturday in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood. The two-day festival continues Sunday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.

The event opened Saturday morning to sunshine and mild temperatures which continued throughout the day. A mostly cloudy sky with a high near 80 degrees is forecast for Sunday by The Weather Channel. 

Saturday's beautiful weather helped draw a potential record crowd to the annual festival. The Northalsted Business Alliance (NHBA) should have attendance numbers by Monday, but the group said it expects more than 100,000 people will visit the festival before it closes Sunday night. 

Four-time Grammy winner Olivia Newton-John will headline Sunday's entertainment, which includes Sheena Easton, Karmin and Paris Bennett along with LGBT acts Matt Zarley and Adam Barta. There will also be local favorites playing Sunday, such as 16 Candles and Kimi Hayes.

"I am really excited about coming to Chicago and to perform for the first time at Market Days," Newton-John told ChicagoPride.com. "I hear that it is a real blast."

Newton-John will perform Sunday at 9:05 p.m. on the Rivers Casino North Stage, which will be located at N. Halsted and Brompton. The other stages will be set-up along N. Halsted at Belmont, Roscoe and Aldine (Jazz Stage). 

"It was a dream come true," NHBA board member Jeff Durbin said of when Newton-John signed on to perform Market Days. Durbin, who owns The Gourmet Grape on N. Halsted, headed the entertainment committee for the festival. 

Market Days, which is situated along N. Halsted from Belmont Ave. to. Addison, also features 400 food, arts and crafts vendors. A suggested donation of $8 will be accepted at any of the 17 entrance gates. 

"Where else in the country will you be able to see four stages of entertainment hosting over 40 artists and all for an $8 gate donation," commented Durbin. 

Northalsted Market Days is presented by and benefits the Northalsted Business Alliance. 

Related Interviews:
Olivia Newton-John | Sheena Easton
Adam Barta | Matt Zarley | Eric Himan

Market Days 2012 Entertainment Schedule:
Sat., Aug. 11 | Sun., Aug. 12
(CalendarQ from ChicagoPride.com and Windy City Times)

Related: Navigate Market Days with 'Out & About' mobile apps

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