CHICAGO — An annual tradition in Lake View East on the city’s North Side has brought together thousands of people for live music, food and shopping for nearly four decades.
This year’s Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival — the 39th annual — concludes Sunday night, beginning at the corner of Belmont and Sheffield avenues and extending to the corner of Sheffield Ave. and Roscoe Street.
The festival runs until 10 p.m. Sunday — rain or shine — after beginning Friday evening and running all day Saturday.
“Phenomenal music, lots of good food, and a lot of things to see and shop and experience,” says Maureen Martino, executive director of the Lake View East Chamber of Commerce.
In its 39th year, the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival takes over the streets in the heart of the Lake View neighborhood, carrying on a tradition loved by residents, businesses and folks from all over. And since it’s happening on Memorial Day weekend, it also serves as a kickoff to Festival Season in Chicago.
Martino says the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival “was one of the first festivals here in Chicago.”
This year’s festival was once again a packed party, with merchants, musicians and more. Nearly two dozen music artists took the stage, from cover bands to a DJ putting a final spin on this year’s celebrations.
“I think as a business leader, we look at things that are going to celebrate our local community,” Martino said.
Including, of course, food and beverage.
“It’s great,” says Terence Pinkston, kitchen manager at Sheffield’s Wine & Beer Garden. “We get to meet new neighbors, old neighbors, we get to show them what we make in-house all year long.”
Though there’s no ticket fee to attend the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival, there’s a suggested $10 donation at the door, which helps benefit the Chamber of Commerce and keeps the festival going each year.
Donations at the door also go back into the community, a portion of the proceeds helping with neighborhood improvement projects, as people come together for a good time and a good cause.
“It’s really great,” says Lauren Rubbelke, owner of the Colette Collection. “I always say it’s like the kickoff to summer, because everyone comes out, everyone’s excited.”
The Colette Collection is a boutique near Clark Street and Diversey Parkway, and Rubbelke says she loves bringing her brick-and-mortar shop to the streets each year. With items for all ages, Rubbelke says the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival is the perfect spot to meet people while also supporting other small businesses.
Rubbelke, like Pinkston, has been part of the festival for the better part of eight years.
“I meet so many people that don’t know about our shop,” she says.
And it doesn’t matter whether you’re a resident of Lake View, or even a resident of Chicago. Everyone is welcome.
At the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival, Martino says, the key word is “community.”
“You can feel the energy,” she says. “Just through the crowd of people being excited to be here.
“… When you come here, you feel it.”
