EdgeFest

EdgeFest was down the block from my dry cleaners so we found it by accident, but we had a nice time. The fest is small (2 blocks, a stage on both ends) and didn’t draw large crowds on a Saturday afternoon so it was easy to walk in the hot weather. The Italian ice stand really hit the spot. They advertised them being made with real fruit, and the mango flavor was perfection! While I didn’t buy anything, there were unique artists and handmade jewelry and accessories vendors. I feel that it could be hit-​or-​miss, depending on what you’re looking for since there aren’t too many food vendors or activities for the kids.

This festival is small and only two blocks from home, which is why I enjoy it. I’ve been two years in a row and this year definitely did not have the crowd on Sunday night for 16 Candles that last year did, but it had just rained, so maybe that’s why. I don’t like street fests and don’t see much point in donating $ 5 to walk around and look at stuff I don’t need/​want to buy, while listening to random music. With that said, I LOVE 16 Candles and if they keep playing here, I will be there just to hear them in an uncrowded setting!
This year we chose to go to Moody’s Pub and sit outside on the patio while having dinner/​drinks. It was perfect because you could listen to the music and avoid all of the things about a street fest that I can’t stand.

Hate to give a negative review (and maybe I hit this at the very worse off time, on Sunday night during late afternoon/​early evening when places were starting to close), but this felt a lot more meh vs. a lot of the other fests around. Even I thought Six Corners BBQ Fest (another upstart neighborhood street festival, that reminded me of this one when I went a few years ago) had more interesting things than this one, sadly. At least Broadway Cellars had a tent outside and was serving food when some of them had started to shut down, and that saved it from being more boring to me. Really enjoyed the Bacon Waffles they were serving a lot.
If this festival stepped it up and had more interesting vendors, maybe I’d give it another chance. I’m iffy if I’d give it another shot next year. The organizers of this fest should take a cue from Glenview Ave. Arts Fest in Rogers Park, and have more art/​photo/​etc. vendors next year. Maybe up the food offerings a little too, and invite some additional restaurants throughout Andersonville, Edgewater, and perhaps even a few in Rogers Park to participate? I hope someone on the organizing committee for Edge Fest reads this review, but who knows.

This year was my first time at Edge Fest, and my first time ever hearing about this nice little festival in Edgewater. You can actually see end to end at this Fest, something most festivals cannot attest to. It’s also not very crowded, which is nice.
There’s a small contingent of local artists and artisans, showing and selling their wares. Also found local eateries like Broadway Cellars on the list. There was a heavy focus on bacon at this Fest, and I got a $ 2 ear of roasted corn slathered in bacon butter. It was heavenly. I also ate a chipotle lime sausage, which was great. Not too many food vendors, but they do have non-​traditional fare, which is unique.
Beer is your standard Fest fare, but the wine pours were super for $ 6! I saw the Van Goghs play a good set, and This is the Band did their stellar take on Talking Heads. Edge Fest is the li’l Fest that could!

Unless this was held by a different events company in 2011 it used to be called «Edgewater Arts Festival» and was much smaller back then. Festival ran east-​west on Thorndale between Broadway and Winthrop, with one stage. This year (2012) they decided to make it run north-​south on Broadway, Rosedale to Thorndale I think it was or maybe another block. But they had two stages for live bands and performances this time around. Oh, and it was a 2 day festival this year too. I went on the Saturday… and unfortunately a torrential storm blanketed much of the city by 3p or so and forced most of the entertainment and vendors to shut down and evacuate. Though this Fest was more family-​oriented, this event also rivaled Lollapalooza the same weekend… so… event organizers might want to plan better for next year.

Who doesn’t love a fest two blocks from your place?!? Talk about convenience! Sure, the fest wasn’t packed, but it was the first year. Sometimes, it takes fests a couple years to soar.
I went on Sunday and the weather was perfect. The bands were entertaining (Who doesn’t love 16 Candles??), the food followed a theme (Helloooo, bacon!!), and the booze was flowing ($ 5 glasses of vino and $ 6 glasses of sangria, thanks to Broadway Cellars!).
There was a «What I Want to do Before I Die» chalkboard. Many of the fill-​in-​the-​blank answers were hilarious!
Engaging in interesting and entertaining conversations with friends, chowing on some light bites, knocking back a couple large glasses of vino, being able to shake my tail feathers, and ending the night by walking home??? Sign me up!

Nice little street fest, not much going on, but this was after the crazy storm that completely destroyed a number of tents. There was food and two stages. Mostly an older crowd, but at least they tried to dress younger. Word. Not really anything for kids.