Each summer, Chicago welcomes visitors from across the U.S. to neighborhood street fairs and festivals. They peruse the wares, get a feel for the architecture, a taste of the local restaurants, and hopefully the urge to visit again. One of the keys to a successful festival is showcasing the neighborhood’s assets to the public.

I’d add another key — one seemingly oft ignored in planning these soirées — interest in the event and participation by the neighbors themselves.

The Old Town Art Fair seems a good example of balancing the interests of both the neighbors and visitors with juried art, garden walks and a children’s corner. The fair has grown since it started in 1949 and 25 cent donations were made to view residents’ artwork along neighborhood fences at the “Old Town Holiday.” But as their website notes, “we’re proud that the original intent and commitment are the same: children and community.”

The West Loop’s foray into the festival scene began 15 years ago. The Taste of Randolph is definitely designed for a different audience than that of Old Town. The event’s website boasts a visit to Taste of Randolph by Vince Vaughn in 2010, and notes that, “Chicago’s hottest singles never miss this chic and sexy weekend in Chicago’s upscale West Loop.” I certainly can’t argue with how sexy we West Loopers are, though I wish the event itself spent more time showcasing our galleries and fresh markets.

My friends who live along Randolph Street have varying opinions about the Taste of Randolph. Those who live along the six-block street party make that weekend’s plans around it.

One of my friends hosts a condo party and invites people to come up before and after the Taste. But another gets the heck out of Dodge to avoid the nuisances that come along with a successful street fest: a bit of public urination and vomiting.

Though called Taste of Randolph, most of the focus has been on the music. A few years back, the West Loop Community Organization answered complaints about third tier band talent by switching event management companies and demanding better headliners. I haven’t heard of two of this year’s three headliners, The Heavy or Swervedriver. (The Reverend Horton Heat, a Chicago favorite, is the third.) Admittedly, I’ve not been following the live music scene in recent years, so I am not sure if these bands meet the complainants’ expectations.

I have enjoyed bands like My Morning Jacket and Toad the Wet Sprocket at Taste of Randolph over the years. This year I am looking forward to The 1900s, a band I first heard at Wicker Park’s neighborhood fest. If one of the goals of the street festival is to encourage people we hope will become members of our neighborhood to visit, I think the 1900s will bring in just that kind of crowd.

Along with increasing the caliber of musical talent, the West Loop Community Organization also asked the new event managers to bring in more food-related activities. The aim was to have an event that would highlight the area’s Restaurant Row nickname.

I’m not sure that challenge has been fully met. According to the event website, big names like Market, Blackbird, Haymarket and Girl and the Goat are not participating, nor are most Madison Street restaurants. I applaud the efforts of Nicholas Meats for taking part, and wish more Fulton Market and Randolph Street wholesalers were there to highlight the perks of the unique neighborhood we live in.

The Taste of Randolph takes place over three days and features food and retail vendors, music on three stages, and cooking demonstrations. What isn’t necessarily featured is the West Loop’s character. More local food and art vendors would set our event apart and have people remembering what makes the West Loop unique in the city.

Taste of Randolph runs from Friday, June 17 through Sunday, June 19. The 1900s play on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on the Main Stage East. If seeing a live band isn’t of interest, Sound Bar, The Mid, and Smart Bar are hosting a third stage this year at Carpenter and Randolph streets with music from more than a dozen DJs. A full line up of music and participating restaurants can be found at www.tasterandolph.com.

So now that you have the info, leave the cut-offs and running shoes at home and get your hot and sexy self out to Randolph Street to represent our chic, upscale neighborhood. Or, plan to get the heck out of Dodge.

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By AmySue from West Loop
Posted: 06/17/2011 3:52 PM

@here4ever: Thx for that. Got to Medusa's a couple of times for all ages & loved it... I also made house tapes via BMX late night, etc and played them a LOT...good times.

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By here4ever from South Loop
Posted: 06/17/2011 2:52 PM

woah! that'a girl! You had one small error in the lyrics, but you get a pass. Now why didn't you think of this for the column?? Toad the Wet Sproket? blahhh. Get your groove on girl! Did you make it over to Medusa's back in the day?

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By AmySue from West Loop
Posted: 06/17/2011 2:41 PM

"...cuz I'm the only one that turns it out. Acid Thunder was a wonder, but this one is gonna put you underground..." - Fast Eddie Thanks for bringing back those memories, @here4ever, he's one of the best ;)

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By AmySue from West Loop
Posted: 06/17/2011 2:38 PM

@here4ever: Thanks for the suggestions - hopefully the event planners will consider them for next year. Having grown up in East Rogers Park (that's Chicago), I am more than familiar with Fast Eddie, et al ..."I'm known as the DJ F-A-S-T E double D-I-E, you see you saw cuz I'm about to get rawer than raw - rawer than you've ever seen before, so get funky and loose and party to this groove that I rearranged, changed, mixed and pumped - by myself, with no one else, without a doubt..."

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By here4ever from South Loop
Posted: 06/16/2011 5:42 PM

This column is typical of someone writing who grew up in the suburbs and who really has no idea of the history of the area. How about instead of yuppie bands from out of town, we have some authentic Chicago acts - hip house artists, Fast Eddie, Tyree Cooper, etc. - the ones who were here way back in the day. If you don't know these artists, go ahead and search in YouTube.