Chicago

Taste of Chicago Draws Record Crowds, Mayor's Office Says

Sunday is the final night of the Taste of Chicago, and the mayor’s office says that a record number of people attending the festivities.

According to a press release, an estimated 1.6 million people attended the five-day festival, a record since the event moved to a five-day format in 2012.

“The Taste of Chicago has been a summertime staple and 2017’s edition certainly didn’t disappoint, putting Chicago’s global reputation as a culinary and cultural capital on full display all weekend,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement.

66 restaurants and food trucks were represented at the annual festival, featuring over 200 different menu items. On Saturday, the festival drew $1.9 million in sales, the most it has racked up in a single day since the 2009 Taste.

Not only was the festival a success from a participation and attendance perspective, but also from a safety perspective as well. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications says that there were no major issues at the festival this year, even as sunny weather prompted higher attendance figures. 

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