Fests Getting The Cut

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s 2009 budget is affecting many parts of the city – including numerous festivals that are shrinking in days and number of stages.

“To be frank, we simply cannot continue moving forward with programs, events and festivals that cost the city of Chicago more to operate than we bring in in revenue,” Megan McDonald, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, said in a statement.

Blues Fest and Jazz Fest will be reduced from four days to three and Daley’s Holiday Sports Festival will be shortened from three days to two, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The paper reported that officials say internal research is still being conducted but it’s likely that Great Chicago Places and Spaces, the Viva Latin Music Festival, Celtic Fest and the Mayor’s Cup Soccer Festival will be cut to one-day events.
The Kids and Kites Festival will be held once a year instead of twice.

The mayor’s office said operational changes will be made to cut costs even further, including with stages, tents, service areas and contractual services at each festival.