The Geek is an idiot, who gets a lot of parking tickets, and knows how to fight back.
It's another busy weekend of street festivals, which of course means street closures, traffic backups and parking headaches. The Parking Ticket Geek has the lowdown on what areas to avoid driving and tips on where to park if you plan to attend any of these events.
Chicago has survived another 4th of July and Taste of Chicago is thankfully, over.
This weekend, we get back to the traditional neighborhood festival beat.
EVENT: West Fest
WHERE: East Village/Ukranian Village
CLOSURES: Chicago Ave. from Damen to Wood.
A hipster music fest in the rapidly changing West Town neighborhood. A good combination of fun family events and pretty decent music. People much cooler than myself, say it's a good fest. I'll take their word.
Parking is not too bad around there. Lot's of residential parking in all directions. I would suggest driving over public transportation. But that's just me.
EVENT:Rock Around The Block
WHERE: Lakeview - Lincoln & Belmont
CLOSURES: Lincoln Ave. from Belmont to School Street.
Gawd, I hate this festival. It's just another excuse to block off Lincoln and totally screwup traffic for the entire weekend and let a bunch of dimwit 20 & 30-year olds drink themselves into a slurred speech stupor. Avoid it if at all possible. Ick.
Parking is going to be mildly difficult. It's not too bad over in west Lakeview. I suggest parking west of Ashland/Lincoln. Lots of non-permit, neighborhood parking.
EVENT: Chicago Folk & Roots Festival
WHERE: Lincoln Square at Welles Park
CLOSURES: Lincoln from Montrose to Sunnyside
This is a pretty great festival if you're into roots and folk music. It's basically the people from the Old Town School of Folk Music, just down the street on Lincoln. Old Town is a Chicago institution and has helped foster the musical careers of many impressive people throughout the years. Including the likes of Steve Goodman, Andrew Bird, John Prine, Roger McGuinn, Robby Fulks, Ralph Covert and many others.
So, the music at this festival is stuff you won't hear anywhere else around town, which makes it unique and refreshing. If you can tolerate the hippie aesthetic that pervades this fest, you'll enjoy it. Just grit your teeth and drink another beer.
Parking is a mixed bag, but not too bad. I suggest staying west of Western when looking for parking and then walking east through Welles Park to find the least stressful parking.
EVENT: Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party
WHERE: West Loop
CLOSURES: Des Plaines Ave. from Madison to Adams
ARGGHHH!!!! Tens of thousands of young single people, thinking they'll hookup with someone if they just drink enough beer. They should rename this event the "World's Largest Meat Market." I love it when a Catholic church promotes excessive drinking, promiscuity and sweaty premarital sex. Stay away, unless you're really desperate.
If you really want to support Old St. Pat's Church, make a donation, and skip the fest.
Parking will be hard. Very little parking to begin in the West Loop, and even less with this goofy event going on.
EVENT: Jeff Fest
WHERE: Jefferson Park
CLOSURES: Milwaukee Ave. at Higgins
Never been to Jeff Fest. Allegedly, a nice, family oriented festival.
Parking should only be moderately difficult.
Have fun this weekend everyone, and don't get caught in traffic.
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