The 2nd Annual Chicago Fest West will take place on Sunday, April 30 from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Riverview Park, 2202 W. Cubs Way in Mesa. Proceeds from the festival will benefit College Bound AZ, a 501c3 nonprofit that helps aspiring underrepresented youth go to and through college.
The festival is a celebration of all things Chicago — culture, food, music, sports, and family. The 2022 inaugural festival drew about 5,000 visitors, according to its organizer, Elizabeth Paulus, executive director, College Bound AZ. “This year we are adding a classic car show, which should really pack the festival,” Elizabeth said.
Events prior to the festival heighten the fun. Visit Mesa will sponsor a Treasure Hunt that hides a Mrs. O’Leary’s cow medallion somewhere in Mesa for searchers to find and take the $1,000 in prizes. Clues are published weekly on the Visit Mesa website: visitmesa.com, and on chicagofestwest.com.
The Chicago Fest West VIP Party will be held on Saturday, April 22. Chicago food is provided by Portillo’s and Lou Malnati’s and guests receive a free ticket to the main festival. Featured is the 10-piece Fairchild Blues, a Blues Brothers tribute.
The spectacular music lineup on Sunday, April 30 begins with bagpipes to open the event. The teen band The JNX will start the band lineup, with Nakota Hunts-inWinter on bass. Nakota’s sister Kylie is a College Bound AZ alumna now in her second year at Harvard University.
“The fact that Nakota has such great talent and is autistic dispels some of the myth surrounding autism,” said Elizabeth. “Mesa is the first certified autism city in the world, and College Bound AZ is a part of that by being a Certified Autism Center here in Mesa. We are so pleased to help raise autism awareness in such a creative way.”
Bluesman Mike and the Blues Review Band will continue the music lineup, followed by Surrender, the Cheap Trick Experience. Closing the event is Uncorked, a Chicago cover and dance band.
Food trucks, including Richie V’s Chicago Dogs, add to the Chicago vibe that is the heart of the festival. Craft beer and cocktails will be available, or visitors may access the Dugout for a private bar, catered food, and special seating near the main stage.
Artisan booths and a treasure hunt to find the eight hidden Mrs. O’Leary’s cow medallion continue the Chicago theme. There will be chalk and mural artists in action, photo walls with Chicago backdrops, glitter face painting, and bounce houses.
Major sponsors for the festival include Flex Technology Group, Cubs Charities, Visit Mesa, and Crescent Crown Distributors. For tickets and to learn more about Chicago Fest West, visit chicagofestwest.com.
For tickets and to learn more about Chicago Fest West, visit chicagofestwest.com.
ABOUT COLLEGE BOUND AZ
Established in 2010, College Bound AZ has been steadily advancing as the premier nonprofit community resource, guiding aspiring underrepresented students on their journey to college through mentoring, guidance, and support. Operating in the Greater Metropolitan Phoenix area, College Bound AZ delivers indispensable assistance to students in grades 7 through college, serving approximately 850 students through its junior high, high school, and college programs.
College Bound AZ is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization and a Certified Autism Center. All philanthropic contributions to College Bound AZ are 100 percent tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
For more information, visit cbaz.org or contact Liz Paulus, executive director, College Bound AZ, at (602) 550-3161 or email ep@collegeboundaz.org