Taste of Chicago Fireworks
By Chris • Updated Jan 15th, 2008 • Category: Chicago Events
The Taste of Chicago Fireworks display will take place on July 3rd. Officially named the “Independence Eve Fireworks Spectacular”, the evening is nothing short of chaotic and I believe you should avoid it at all cost. The already huge crowd from The Taste of Chicago 2008 will be complemented by additional families and high school kids, all clamoring to get a good view of the lake.
Remember to use the Chicago Bike Valet when you check out the Taste of Chicago Fireworks.
Stay updated on Taste of Chicago Fireworks and everything else going on at Chicago Hot Blog.
Taste of Chicago Fireworks
If you refuse to avoid this mess and absolutely want to experience the Taste of Chicago Fireworks Spectacular, there are a two options that I would suggest:
1) Come very early and plan to stay very late. If you arrive less than 2 hours before the start of the fireworks show, you will have a hard time finding a seat and navigating the crowd. If you try to head home right when the fireworks end, you will be met with even more insanity as people try to flood the streets and train stations.
2) Try viewing from another location. People have told me that you can escape the crowds and get a good view from the northern beaches such as Fullerton or North Avenue Beach.
All in all, I suggest totally avoiding The Taste of Chicago Fireworks. The police act as if they have never encountered this before and have no sense about how to control the crowds after the fireworks end. The streets are flooded and the train station (CTA and Metra) are crowded to dangerous levels. Avoid The Taste of Chicago Fireworks and go to one of the twice weekly shows at Navy Pier shows instead.
Chicago Summer Events
Chicago Summer Calendar
Taste of Chicago
2008 Chicago Air Show
Red Bull Flugtag Chicago
Chicago Outdoor Film Fest
We used to listen to people telling us to avoid the taste and the fireworks. A few years ago an out of town visitor insisted we go. It was spetacular and extremely well run. People were friendly well behaved and we found finding a seat to see the fireworks no problem at all. We have made it a must see for the last 5 years. We have visitors come from out of town every year and use this festival as a showcase event for Chicago. Everybody we have taken has told us it was the highlight of their vacation. The “taste” portion at the booths enable us to try many different foods. Everybody we have taken has been impressed with the behavior of the crowd and the professionalism and effectiveness of the police.
There are som tips to making it more enjoyable.
We usually get a hotel downtown or stay with my daughter who lives just off the park. We go to the taste early before the crowds get too bad and then leave for a few hours. On Fireworks night we carry fold up chairs just an hour before the fireworks start. One thing the reviewer does have right is that commute home is a zoo but the rest of the review is 180 degrees out from what I have experienced.
If you are from Chicago and you want to showcase your town this is the right event to do it at. It truely shows a “city that works.”
John
Thanks for taking the time to leave your comment. I really don’t agree with what you say, but your point of view is just as valid as mine. My experience with The Taste of Chicago has been nothing short of chaotic. We arrived an hour before the fireworks and it was very difficult just to find a spot to sit. People were sitting on the sidewalks (due to overflow) so walking around was a task unto itself - then there are the people who arrived much earlier in the day, and think that it is okay to rope off a 10×10 foot area of the park for themselves.
I’ll take your word for the early-day crowd being better than the late day, but The Taste of Chicago is nothing more than a way for restaurants to sell you over-priced and under-sized portions of food. The only reason I would bring a visitor to The Taste of Chicago is if there was a big name musical guest playing for free. In my opinion, there are an infinite number of events that better showcase our city.
-Chris
2008’s Independence Eve Fireworks Spectacular was anything but “spectacular”. What a let down! Not one song had anything to do about INDEPENDENCE much less patriotism. Just because being loyal to one’s country and one’s country’s roots isn’t popular right now, doesn’t mean that all people feel the same way. And much to the disappointment of people who feel that way, it is not ignorant or stupid to be proud of this country. There are millions of people around the globe who owe their freedom and very existence to this country and don’t even appreciate it. Now that is the true definition of ignorance!