‘Sundays on State’ will be closed off to traffic every Sunday from July and organizers have hinted it could become a regular summer occurrence.
Chicago Loop Alliance in May announced plans for a weekly summer street festival that would see State Street from Lake to Madison closed off on Sundays from July 11. Called ‘Sundays on State’, the event hopes to revive the Loop’s economy and will feature a wide range of attractions.
According to the official event page, Sundays on State invites people to “come together with neighbors from every Chicago community and beyond for this free, interactive block party, while safely enjoying art, culture, active recreation, retail, bars, restaurants, and local attractions.”
In a statement, Chicago Loop Alliance president and CEO Michael Edwards said “the three primary goals of Sundays on State are to accelerate the economic recovery, unite the community, and create joy. We’re inspired to bring this revitalizing concept to one of the largest, most iconic streets in Chicago.”
Another interesting component of the city's loosening of COVID-19 restrictions and the "Open Chicago" plan is beginning July 11, State Street between Madison & Lake will be an "open street" on Sundays when it will be closed to cars from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. pic.twitter.com/W9yJkbb7Vx
— Erin Hegarty (@erin_hegarty) April 29, 2021
The Chicago Loop Alliance has said that the event will feature more than 70 activations throughout the day such as interactive painting, live theater, yoga, dance, circus performances, jazz and bluegrass musicians, DJs, outdoor dining, sidewalk vendors, and more.
CEO Michael Edwards. Edwards stated, “After the year we’ve had, we want to offer an opportunity to come together, participate, and heal with one another.”
Along with pop-up shops, restaurants, and bars, there will be various outdoor concerts, theatrical performances, different arts and culture experiences, “Instagrammable” backdrops, and fitness classes.
"Chicago’s colorful, insightful works of art adorning structures across the city are calling out to everyone to come visit and rediscover the city…"
Read more of the @Suntimes, sponsor of #SundaysOnState, profile of the new #LoopMuralWalk. https://t.co/pRXolVjdY9
— The Chicago Loop (@ChiLoopAlliance) June 28, 2021
City officials have also hinted that, depending on the success, Sundays on State could become a regular summer event provided it draws enough visitors and vendors.
Applications were open to any and all organizations up until May 26 with retailers, coffee shops, libraries, bookstores, community organizations, and fitness studios all encouraged to apply for free with no fees for occupying a pop-up space.
Sundays on State will take place July 11, 18, and 25, Aug. 8, 22, and 29, and Sept. 5 and 12 with closures from 7 am – 11 pm and the event itself running from 11 am – 8 pm. Note that there will be no events on August 1 or 15.
Everybody who registers to attend Sundays on State at LoopChicago.com/Sundays will now be automatically entered for a chance to win a $1,000 Loop staycation package.
See more: 25 Must-See Street Art Murals That Prove Chicago’s Art Scene Is Legendary
[Featured image from Shutterstock]