North Halsted Market Days
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North Halsted Market Days is an annual two-day festival in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is the MidWest's largest street festival, takes place in the Boystown section of Lakeview along North Halsted Street from Belmont Avenue to Addison Avenue and is a half-mile long. The festival consists of 3 music stages, 2 local band stages and a dance floor. The festival showcases food and merchandise tents. There are also Halsted business establishment tents, as well as those of radio stations and public service organizations. Many give away small souvenir items.
The overall flavor of the event is decidedly gay, but can definitely be enjoyed by all. It's simply a great time; a bit wild at times--especially after dark, when the music and accompanying dancing occasionally rise to a fever pitch--but always fun. The street remains closed from Saturday at 7am to Monday at 1am. Most of the businesses along Halsted Street close during the day but reopen each night when the festival ends for the day. Most notably the 20+ bars and restaurants see a significant increase in patronage.
2006 was the 25th Anniversary for North Halsted Market Days, and helping celebrate were such notables as Billie Myers, Brazilian Girls, Powder, East Village Opera Company and Michael McDermott. In the past Market Days has seen performances by Margaret Cho, Jill Sobule, Leslie Jordan, Berlin, and many more.
