The city's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events officially released the information about the Taste and other festivals Wednesday morning.
Taste 2012 will once again be in Grant Park but it will be for five days from July 11-15 and will not lead up to the Fourth of July holiday as in years past.
The city says Taste will emphasize Chicago's status as a "foodie" destination and feature national musical acts but has not said who might perform.
(PRESS RELEASE)
2012 FESTIVAL DATES - A NEW YEAR OF ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Festivals Produced by Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
2012 brings a new year of arts and entertainment to Chicago residents and visitors. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events will once again present Taste: Chicago's 4-star feast-ival of food and fun (July 11-15) and the Chicago Gospel Music Festival (June 21-24) returns with both a new date and location.
The 27th Chicago Gospel Music Festival returns to the 2012 summer festival scene with a new look and new dates, June 21-24. Taste moves later in the calendar, July 11-15, 2012, while remaining in its longtime home in Grant Park on Chicago's lakefront.
The 2012 Gospel Music Festival takes a cue from the Chicago Jazz Festival, providing free entertainment in several different locations, including Chicago's Bronzeville, the south side neighborhood where the genre finds many of its roots. On Saturday and Sunday, the event transforms the former Ida B. Wells public housing site, located on South Martin Luther King Drive from 37th to 39th Street, into a Gospel Music haven.
Taste will emphasize Chicago's status as a "foodie" destination and feature classic Chicago favorites as well as offerings from Chicago's new and emerging culinary scene. This free admission festival will highlight entertainment such as cooking demonstrations from noted chefs, and local and national musical acts. The Taste restaurant application will be online at www.tasteofchicago.us beginning in early January.
(Below are the 2012 dates for the large-scale festivals. Please Note: All dates are subject to change.)
29th Annual Chicago Blues Festival June 8-10
27th Chicago Gospel Music Festival June 21-24
New Date & Location
32nd Annual Taste of Chicago July 11-15
New Date
54th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show August 18-19
34th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival Aug. 30-Sept 2
14th Annual World Music Festival September 13-20
