you guys, the sun has finally shown it's face around these parts. We've had many in-a-row days with heat. You read that right. Not warm-er, not warm, but actual makeup melting heat. and it was glorious. i was so excited not only for those "oh, i wish i had worn shorts" moments, but also because it was the opening weekend of festivals.
let me just set it straight here- festivals are my jam. i mean, i feel like festivals were made for me. here's why: 1) you just walk around aimlessly. this is probably my most favorite thing to do ever. i seriously love to just walk. look at buildings, notice people's shoes, visit new areas. i could walk this whole city, i think, if i had an inkling to do so. 2) music. there is always some type of musical act playing somewhere at every festival. most of them are bad cover bands, but just having live music in the background just screams summer fun, ya know? and 3) festival food. i wouldn't say corn dogs are my favorite food of all time (because that is crab) but... it's pretty close. i will only eat corn dogs from a stand. it comes from years and years of visiting the louisiana state fair. don't get my wrong- i like funnel cakes and lemonade, too, but corn dogs are the ultimate.
that being said- my first festival was a total bummer. first of all- there was an entry fee of $10. entry fees are lame. i don't think i've ever been to a street festival where i had to pay to get in. second- i kept looking for the rest of the festival. as in, it was the size of a 7-eleven. seriously. it was one parking lot with a music tent, three food stands, a beer stand, and four goods stands. i couldn't believe i had paid $10 to get in! but- never fear- i wouldn't let it ruin my time because me and festival food are lovers. so i ate my corn dog (it was soggy) and those always-named-differently chips (they were good) and got me an ear of corn (it was inedible). i nearly cried actual tears at my disappointment. i mean-if the food couldn't save it, it should just not exist. so i slapped on my red lipstick and wasted more $ than i care to think about on 30 minutes of nothing. so we left and had baskin robbins. it saved the day.
don't worry, i haven't given up on festivals here in chi. i know there must be some good ones and there is at least one festival nearly every weekend until september. next time, i'm checking the yelp reviews.
