28th Annual Taste of Chicago

Taste of Chicago 2008 is Chicago's biggest event. Getting its start as a modest food festival on the Fourth of July in 1980, the Taste of Chicago has grown to be the world's largest outdoor food fest -- a gastronomical extravaganza attracting upwards of 3 million people each year.

Admission:

Admission is free, but you obviously have to pay for food and drinks. Purchases are made by ticket only. Tickets are sold in strips of 11 for $7. Large items are generally 9-10 tickets, side portions 6-7 tickets, soft drinks 4 tickets. All daily restaurants offer a small "Taste" portion for 2-3 tickets -- a great way to sample a large variety of all the food available.

About the Taste of Chicago:

The Taste of Chicago is quintessential summer in the Windy City -- great food and music, blue skies, Lake Michigan, and an incredibly diverse group of people from all over the city and Chicago suburbs.

The 10 day food festival serves up more than 300 menu items from over 70 restaurants and food vendors, and offers tastes of not just Chicago cuisine, but also the global influences that are a part of the city's melting pot. There's tame fair such as giant turkey legs and rib sandwiches, but the more adventurous can get a taste of dishes such as goat biryani (goat with rice, saffron and spices) or alcapurria (pork-filled banana dumplings).

Another great attraction of the Taste of Chicago are all the great free concerts taking place throughout the 10 days of the festival. Main acts perform at the Petrillo Music Shell, and this year features well-known performers as Stevie Wonder, Joss Stone, Bonnie Raitt and the Plain White T's. Other stages throughout Taste also feature local and regional acts.

To further immerse into the whole food experience, you can wander over to the Dominick's Cooking Corner and see cooking demonstrations by some of Chicago's best chefs and wine experts.

Children will enjoy the Family Village and Fun Time Stage, which features tons of hands-on activities and entertainment for kids.

If you want to be a part of one of the biggest parties in the city, be sure to make your way to the Taste of Chicago for an incredibly fun and unforgettable time.

Independence Eve Fireworks:

Fireworks at the Taste of Chicago are not held on the traditional Fourth of July, but rather the night before on July 3. The Chicago fireworks are a spectacular display of over 5,000 aerial devices and shells. Festivities kick off at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by the Grant Park Orchestra at the Petrillo Music Shell, with the fireworks display beginning at 9:30 p.m. Over one million people attend Chicago's Independence Eve fireworks, so plan on plenty of extra time coming and going.