photo credit // greg baird
Chicago, IL -
Nearly 150,000 people from across the country converged on North Halsted St. on Aug. 9 - 10 for the 2014 Northalsted Market Days, the largest two-day outdoor street festival in the Midwest.
"The stars aligned in terms of weather, performers and vendors," Northalsted Business Alliance Ramesh Ariyanayakam told ChicagoPride.com. The crowds certainly reveled in the weekend offerings. We are thrilled that so many both near and far celebrated Market Days with us this year."
Nearly 300 food and arts and craft vendors lined the six block along North Halsted between the Belmont Avenue and Addison Street. The music, however, is what drew thousands to Boystown over the weekend.
"There was extraordinary enthusiasm for the line-up and a great mix of performers, which appealed to fest goers across the board," said Ariyanayakam.
Throughout the two days over 40 different performances on three main music stages, including Aaron Carter, Belinda Carlisle, Branden James, Deborah Cox, Karmin, Mary Lambert, Neon Trees, and Steve Grand.
"When we had an opportunity to come back we decided to do it," Nicholas Noonan of Karmin told ChicagoPride.com.
(View photos from Northalsted Market Days 2014)
The annual festival, which is in its 33rd year, is organized by the Northalsted Business Alliance, the same group that produces Chicago's annual Pride Fest.
"Staging a festival the size of Market Days is a monumental undertaking with year round planning efforts," added Ariyanayakam. "To keep the sought after acts as part of the festival, we need to help people understand that the gate donation goes a long way in helping us secure top level entertainment."
Northalsted Market Days returns again next year, tentatively planned for Aug. 8 - 9, 2015.
Related: Drone flyover shows thousands at Northalsted Market Days 2014 (VIDEO)
"The stars aligned in terms of weather, performers and vendors," Northalsted Business Alliance Ramesh Ariyanayakam told ChicagoPride.com. The crowds certainly reveled in the weekend offerings. We are thrilled that so many both near and far celebrated Market Days with us this year."
Nearly 300 food and arts and craft vendors lined the six block along North Halsted between the Belmont Avenue and Addison Street. The music, however, is what drew thousands to Boystown over the weekend.
"There was extraordinary enthusiasm for the line-up and a great mix of performers, which appealed to fest goers across the board," said Ariyanayakam.
Throughout the two days over 40 different performances on three main music stages, including Aaron Carter, Belinda Carlisle, Branden James, Deborah Cox, Karmin, Mary Lambert, Neon Trees, and Steve Grand.
"When we had an opportunity to come back we decided to do it," Nicholas Noonan of Karmin told ChicagoPride.com.
(View photos from Northalsted Market Days 2014)
The annual festival, which is in its 33rd year, is organized by the Northalsted Business Alliance, the same group that produces Chicago's annual Pride Fest.
"Staging a festival the size of Market Days is a monumental undertaking with year round planning efforts," added Ariyanayakam. "To keep the sought after acts as part of the festival, we need to help people understand that the gate donation goes a long way in helping us secure top level entertainment."
Northalsted Market Days returns again next year, tentatively planned for Aug. 8 - 9, 2015.
Related: Drone flyover shows thousands at Northalsted Market Days 2014 (VIDEO)
