Square Roots Festival Returns To Lincoln Square With 70 Acts

CHICAGO — Dozens of entertainers, vendors and chefs will come to Chicago's North Side in July for the 8th Annual Square Roots Festival. The event will feature more than 70 acts and 50 regional craft brews. More than 30,000 people are expected to attend this year's event.

Presented by the Old Town School of Folk Music and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, the three-day festival will feature music, dance parties and family activities.

Festival-goers can expect four music stages, both inside the Old Town School and outside on Lincoln Avenue, programmed with an eclectic and vibrant mix of performers from local indie rockers and world-class music stars, to Old Town School teaching artists and students.

Musical performances will include Son Volt, Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker, The Wild Reeds, 47 Soul, Ivan Barrios and a special 25th Anniversary Celebration of Bloodshot Records featuring Murder By Death, Mekons and secret surprise guests. Many more artists will be announced and the full schedule of performers and featured headliners will be posted over the coming weeks at http://squareroots.org/music/.

Festival details:

Dates: Friday, July 12, 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, July 13, noon-10 p.m.; Sunday, July 14, noon-9 p.m.
Location: 4400 – 4560 N Lincoln Avenue (between Montrose and Wilson).
Cost: Suggested donation of $10 for adults, $5 for seniors/kids, $20 for families.
Donations support the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce's free community concert programming throughout the year, and Old Town School of Folk Music's financial aid programs.

Beer

The festival will feature local and regional craft breweries with a wide variety of styles. There will be special tappings in the designated brew lounge and throughout the festival. Offering a total of over 50 unique craft brews, 20 popular Midwest breweries will attend the festival, including Half Acre Beer Company, Begyle Brewing Company, Dovetail Brewery, 5 Rabbit Cerveceria, Ravinia Brewing Company, Sketchbook Brewing Company, Spiteful Brewing, Ten Ninety Brewing Company, Temperance Beer Company and Metropolitan Brewing. The full beer list will be available in the coming weeks at http://squareroots.org/beer/.

Food

Top restaurants from in and around Lincoln Square will be in the spotlight this year as well, serving up dishes that will be paired with the cold craft beers. New restaurants added to this year’s lineup include Green Leaf Thai Cuisine, Luella’s Gospel Bird and Sweet Pepper Venezuelan Food Bar. They round out the collection of festival mainstays that include Amy’s Candy Bar, Artango Bar & Steakhouse, Bistro Campagne, Bo’s Concessions, Byron’s Hot Dogs, Dinky Delights, Essence of India, Gather, Groundswell Coffee Roasters, Isla Pilipina, Jerry’s, Lee’s Concessions, Luella’s Southern Kitchen, Miku Sushi, Taco in a Bag and The Budlong Hot Chicken.

A full list of menu offerings will be announced at http://squareroots.org/vendors/#food in the coming weeks.

Market vendors

Square Roots provides a large market area of vendors, all based in Illinois and nearly half from the Lincoln Square neighborhood and surrounding areas. Attendees can purchase distinctive items from Square Roots vendors, many of whom only set up shop once a year. Visit http://www.squareroots.org/vendors/ in the coming weeks to view a full list of vendors.

Family activities

The event will feature Wiggleworms performances, an art tent, an instrument petting zoo and an interactive sonic sculpture from Swing Set Drum Kit. To view a full list of family fun activities, visit http://www.squareroots.org/familyfun/.