40th annual Northalsted Market Days returns this weekend

Tue. August 2, 2022 8:05 PM by GoPride.com News Staff

anastacia among headliners for 2022 market days

photo credit // provided

Northalsted Market Days, August 6 and 7

Chicago's largest street festival returns this weekend to Chicago’s Northalsted neighborhood.

“This year's festival is going to be amazing,” said lead organizer Mark Liberson. “We are looking forward to international travelers and people from across the US to return to our city and have an amazing line-up planned for them on August 6 and 7.

Anastacia, Matteo Lane, Ginger Minj, Sammy Rae & The Friends, and Ada Vox are among the headliners for the two-day lineup of live music across five stages.

Other top performers include Sixteen Candles, Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press, Jaimie Wilson, the Out at Wrigley Singing Contest Finals, Lynne Jordan and the Shivers, Meghan Murphy “Big Red” and more.

The DJ stage at Cornelia & Halsted, produced by Hydrate Nightclub, will feature international DJ/Producer Isis Muretech, Joe Gauthreaux, Dani Brasil, Isaac Escalante and more, with popular local drag performers in a high energy, outdoor dance club atmosphere.

The South stage at Halsted and Belmont has LGBTQ femme-oriented programming by Peach Presents (Saturday) and Back Lot Bash Presents (Sunday).

The Chicago Sound Stage will showcase breakthrough LGBTQ performers and a diverse mix of musical styles.

The 40th annual street festival will take place along a half-mile stretch of  N. Halsted from Addison Street south to Belmont Avenue. It is expected to draw nearly 100,000 visitors.

A $15 recommended donation for entry helps cover festival costs, support local charities, and fund community programming. A VIP pass is available for $40 at northalsted.com.

Health officials raise awareness amid monkeypox outbreak

As monkeypox continues to spread across the Chicago area, officials are stepping up efforts to raise awareness ahead of Market Days.

On Monday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker declared the monkeypox virus a public health emergency. 

According to the city's health department, the main way monkeypox currently spreading is through close personal contact with a rash or sore on someone infected with the monkeypox virus, or MPV.

Market Days organizers have added an information section to their website, including a list of symptoms and a request for people showing symptoms to isolate and contact their health care provider.

Symptoms include rash, pimples or unusual sores, fever, chills, fatigue, head or muscle aches, or swelling of the lymph nodes.

Although outdoor events are less risky than crowded indoor spaces because of the opportunities for crowding and skin-to-skin contact, officials suggest wearing more clothing to large events.

Another thing people can do to lower their risk is avoid sharing items like water bottles and cigarettes.

Illinois has the third-highest total or reported cases, behind New York and California.
 

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