One of the biggest names taking the stage this year is Lady Gaga. Thursday, some obvious fans of the music diva took part in a contest, all sporting her look. Lollapalooza Lineup
It is called the "monster of all music festivals" -- hundreds of thousands of people come from all over just to be a part of it.
This is the fifth year for Lollapalooza as a destination festival in Chicago. It starts Friday and goes through Sunday. One-hundred-fifty bands will perform on several stages throughout Grant Park.
Lollapalooza is Chicago's largest outdoor music festival. This year's headliners are Green Day and the controversial Lady Gaga.
"The organizers do a great job. It is always a safe-run festival, brings a lot of people that do not typically come to the city...it brings a tremendous amount of economic impact to our city," said Megan McDonald, Mayor's Office of Special Events.
McDonald says the organizers pay for everything.
Workers in the city were busy Thursday in Grant Park, preparing and setting up for the three-day event.
Previous Lolla festivals have taken over the city, with participants partying throughout the day and night. This one is expected to be even bigger and better.
A number of streets will be closed starting Thursday night at midnight: Balbo from Michigan to Lake Shore Drive; Jackson from Michigan to Lake Shore Drive; Congress from Michigan to Columbus; Columbus from Monroe to Roosevelt.
Some of the street closures will last as long as until midnight on August 10.
A Lady Gaga look-a-like contest was held Thursday afternoon at State Street Pizza in honor of her appearance this year at the festival. The girls were judged by Miss Illinois and Miss Chicago.
Anne Marie Boyer, an intern with Lookingglass Theater Company, had help with her costume.
"I love lady gaga and would love to see her perform," said Boyer.
Each girl did their impersonation of the mega star. The winner will get two tickets to her performance.
"I love Lady Gaga. I think she is so interesting. She is daring and she is willing to try anything new, and I love her," said Coleen Ryan, Lady Gaga impersonator.
Tickets to the festival are $90 for one day or $215 for a three-day pass.
McDonald says, in addition to the organizers paying for everything and doing exactly what the city asks of them, some of the money from the festival goes to help fund Park District programs.
