Having Fun For Free this Summer in Chicago: Blues Festival

So what if you didn’t have the funds to make the travel plans you wanted to this summer? Luckily, being a broke college student in Chicago during the summer doesn’t mean you have to be bored! As many already know, Chicago is renowned for its summertime festivals that are FREE TO ALL. What may not be common knowledge yet is when and where they are. Even if you’re only working a mediocre-paying part-time job to get by until classes start again, you’ll easily be able to chase away your boredom blues if you’re in Chicago this summer, especially this upcoming weekend!

Ironic as it may seem at first, you can get rid of your blues by experiencing them this weekend (June 8-10) in Grant Park at Chicago’s annual Blues Festival. Saturday’s headliners include Billy Branch, Floyd Taylor and Paul Kaye.  And the festival will end Sunday night with stunning Mavis Staples who says she will be singing about “the world today—poverty, jobs, welfare, all of that—and making it feel better through these songs.” There will be five stages set up throughout the park holding different performances each day. Chicago’s Blues Festival is not only the largest annual blues festival in the world, but this year it will boast a variety of performers native to Chicago, the home of the blues itself! Whether you’re familiar with the performers on the lineup or not, this festival is a historical event that everyone should attend at least once and is a great way to get better acquainted with Chicago and its very rich and authentic history.

For those who are first-timers to blues music and culture, the Blues Festival in Chicago is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the blues and have a good time while doing it. Experiencing the blues first hand will be the best way to unwind and mingle this weekend. You and your wallet will be happy after attending the festival, and not only because it’s free. Did you know? Blues music actually makes people happy? For an in depth history of the blues and its positive impact on society, make sure to read a chapter or two of Giles Oakley’s The Devil’s Music, a History of the Blues before attending the event, or even while en route.

For times/stage lineups and performers’ bios go to: explorechicago.org

Just not into the Blues? There’s still a free festival for you this summer!

Make sure to check out the different summer festivals at explorechicago.org