Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest Memorial Weekend

The 41st Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest is running through Sunday, May 24, on Sheffield Avenue between Belmont and Roscoe in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, according to Choose Chicago and the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce. The three-day street festival began Friday evening and is scheduled to continue until 10 p.m. Sunday, with live music on two stages, food vendors, beer and wine, and artisan sellers. Special Events Management, which lists the event on its ChicagoEvents site, says the festival is in its 41st year. A $10 suggested donation at the gate benefits the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce, organizers said. ### Where exactly is the festival taking place this weekend? Sheffield Avenue is the center of the event, with the festival footprint stretching between Belmont and Roscoe, according to Choose Chicago. The chamber says the festival “kicks off right at the intersection of Belmont and Sheffield,” directly under the Belmont CTA station. The Belmont CTA station serves the Red, Purple and Brown lines, the chamber says, and several bus routes stop nearby, including the #77 Belmont, #22 Clark, #8 Halsted and #36 Broadway. (choosechicago.com) For drivers, the chamber said the city posted tow-away restrictions tied to the festival and street closures on Sheffield Avenue from Belmont to Roscoe. ### What are the hours, and what is still happening on Sunday? (choosechicago.com) Friday’s schedule ran from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to Choose Chicago and Special Events Management. Sunday’s remaining schedule includes acts on both the main stage and the Belmont stage into the evening. Choose Chicago lists Sunday’s main-stage lineup as Generation Band at 12:30 p.m., RAVIV – Electric Cellos at 2 p.m., That Petty Band at 4 p.m., The Divas at 6 p.m. and Hello Weekend at 8 p.m. (lakevieweast.com) On the Belmont stage, the listed acts are Bear & Jake Acoustic at 12:30 p.m., Sucker Punch at 2 p.m., My Weekend Crush at 3:30 p.m., Rumor Hazit at 5 p.m., Chasing Rumours – Fleetwood Mac at 6:45 p.m. and Mellencougar at 8:30 p.m. The Lakeview East Chamber page lists a nearly identical Sunday schedule, though it names Petty Union rather than That Petty Band in the 4 p.m. main-stage slot. (choosechicago.com) ### What kind of festival is Belmont-Sheffield? Choose Chicago says the event opens Chicago’s summer festival season with tribute bands, local entertainers, food, drinks and artisans. Special Events Management describes two stages, one near Roscoe focused on tribute acts and another near Belmont featuring neighborhood performers, DJs and local talent. (choosechicago.com) The vendor list published by Choose Chicago includes Joyee Creations, One Man, One Garage, Tori Grace Outfitters, Polar Bare Bath and Pocket Square Clothing. The chamber says the broader vendor mix includes apparel, accessories, candles and pet goods. ### Who benefits from the gate donation? The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce is the named beneficiary of the suggested gate donation, according to Choose Chicago and Special Events Management. (choosechicago.com) Choose Chicago quotes Executive Director Maureen Martino saying the event is “a Chicago tradition that celebrates the start of summer.” Martino said the suggested donation helps keep the annual festivals operating and that, as a community-based non-profit business organization, the chamber uses the funds for neighborhood beautification and safety. (choosechicago.com) Special Events Management says the chamber represents merchants and other businesspeople in the community. ### What should visitors know before heading over? (choosechicago.com) Special Events Management says vendor applications have already closed and the festival has reached capacity for exhibitors. The organizer also directs visitors to transit options and advance parking reservations through SpotHero. Sunday, May 24, is the final day of this year’s event, with performances scheduled until 10 p.m. and the festival still operating on Sheffield between Belmont and Roscoe, according to Choose Chicago and the chamber. (choosechicago.com) Additional event details and lineup information remain posted on the Choose Chicago listing and the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce page. (chicagoevents.com)