Andersonville's Midsommarfest celebrates 50th anniversary

CHICAGO -- One of Chicago's oldest and most beloved summer street festivals marks a momentous milestone with the 50th anniversary of Andersonville Midsommarfest this June 12-14.

For three days, this vibrant and diverse community will bring together over 50,000 people to celebrate this great north side neighborhood with eclectic music, great vendors and food, free kids activities, and proud Swedish tradition.

The fun begins at 5:00 pm on June 12, when - for the first time on a Friday - the entire festival venue will open on Clark Street from Foster to Catalpa. Three stages will kick of the festivities, with 16 Candles on the North Stage, Party Like It's 1965 on the Center Stage and the ABBA Salute on the South Stage.

The music continues on Saturday and Sunday on five stages-Chicago headliners, along with some of the city's most fun cover bands. A special family stage will also offer free entertainment sure to keep the little ones dancing throughout both days. Festival headliners include 16 Candles, JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, Final Say, ABBA Salute, Cat Fight, 7th Heaven, Get Up With The Get Downs, The Joans, Pieptone!, The Handcuffs, The Opposition Party, Laura Doherty, and many more. Two dozen food vendors offer international fare and festival favorites; over 80 local artists and vendors will be displaying their unique wares.

Andersonville's strong Swedish ties, still home to Swedish-owned businesses like Simon's Tavern, Svea, and the Swedish Bakery for over 50 years, will be proudly displayed. The Swedish Stage (Clark & Foster) will feature traditional Swedish activities, including a dance around the Maypole on Saturday. Guests can also visit the Swedish American Museum, which will be offering free admission all weekend long.

Since 1965 also marks the first year "Andersonville" was coined after a rededication ceremony of the neighborhood, Midsommarfest's 50th is a chance for business owners and residents, past and present, to come together and celebrate! Businesses from 50 years ago, along with some of the newer businesses like Candyality, Norcross & Scott, and Notre, will join in the celebration.

Hours: Friday, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. with Maypole dance at 11:45 a.m. (Swedish Stage/Clark & Foster); Sunday 11.a.m. - 10 p.m. Admission to the event is a $10 suggested donation, with proceeds benefiting the work of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce. A portion of the beer sales from the weekend benefit several great non-profit organizations, including Friends of Andersonville, Friends of Peirce Elementary, and Friends of Swift Elementary.

Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization that provides marketing, advocacy and technical assistance to the hundreds of independently owned Andersonville businesses that make the neighborhood such a unique place to live, work and visit. For more information, visit www.andersonville.org.

Midsommarfest is produced by Star Events, a Chicago-based company committed to producing world-class community celebrations. www.starevents.com.