JACKSON PARK — Over 40,000 people are expected to turn out for the Chosen Few Picnic Saturday, where the Chosen Few DJs — Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Alan King, Tony Hatchett, Andre Hatchett, Terry Hunter and Mike Dunn — will be spinning over 12 hours of music in Jackson Park.
This year’s special guests include Chicago native and “Nu Nu” singer Lidell Townsell, gospel icon BeBe Winans and House music pioneer Lori Branch.
The show will go on rain or shine. The National Weather Service forecasts a high of 75 degrees, with periods of rain ending early. Saturday night is expected to drop to 60 degrees, so dress accordingly.
With the ongoing construction of the Obama Presidential Center, some things have changed. Here’s what else you should know:
- The fun kicks off at 8 a.m. at Jackson Park near Hayes and Richards drives. All access will be at the main and VIP entry gates on Hayes Drive. No parking will be allowed on Hayes Drive in front of the event and there will be no access off DuSable Lake Shore Drive at Hayes.
- Public transportation is strongly encouraged as parking spaces near the venue will go fast. The #6 Jackson Express, #15 Jeffery Local, #28 Stony Island and 63rd Street buses are all within walking distance to the park, and a drop-off station for ride shares is just west of the Golden Lady statue.
- The picnic is BYOB. Folks can bring lawn furniture, coolers, tents and food. Grilling is allowed, but gas grills are not. Neither are glass bottles (or glass of any kind), fireworks, firearms, vending, solicitation or distribution of materials of any kind in or near festival grounds — unless you are an official vendor or sponsor.
- Kids 12 and under get in for free. All ticket wristbands are non-transferable and all sales are final. Festival organizers will not allow refunds or exchanges. Also, going in and out of parking lots will not be allowed.
Help Block Club Get
500 More Subscribers!
Subscribe to Block Club now and you’ll get a free 16-by-20-inch Chicago neighborhood print of your choice, helping us reach our goal of getting 500 more subscribers before 2024. Click here to subscribe or click here to gift a subscription.
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:
