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Summer festival guide 2009

Get a fresh look at the city's best season with our annual guide

Published: April 27, 2009

If you’re like us, you’re sick of cutting corners—scrimping and scraping on entertainment, food, shopping. Screw the recession: It’s summer in Chicago. For the next four months the music is cheap (or free), dinner should be served on a stick, and drinking beer in a plastic cup is practically required. Summer festivals serve up the ultimate cheap entertainment even when the economy is flourishing, so stop feeling sorry for yourself and start cashing in on the dozens of ways we’ve found to make this season the most inexpensive ever. Come on, let’s take it outside.

The best spots at Chicago’s summer fests: Before you blindly follow the crowds into a downtown festival, use our map to plot your plan of attack. Index fun: The peaks and valleys of summer festivals make Wall Street look downright stable. How to dress for this summer’s festivals: If you don’t have the garb for these fests, you can still get the look for less. Chicago’s summer ethnic festivals: Where to go and what to eat. Cheap drinks at Chicago’s summer festivals: Here’s how to find a stiff drink without getting stiffed. Festival treats cost plenty of cash, calories: Check out some slimmer and cheaper alternatives. Cheap summer thrills: Lack of money sucking all the fun out of your weekends? Look no further—these cheap thrills will scare the bejesus out of you. What and where to buy at this summer’s festivals: Do your shopping on the street and you’ll have plenty of cash left for beer. Volunteering at music fests can get you in free: Rock these music fests by volunteering. Bonus: free admission! Money-saving tips!: Follow our advice to enjoy summer fun at a discount.
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