Formerly known as Design Harvest, the all-new Grand Art & Design Festival will take place in the heart of the Grand Avenue Design District in West Town on September 26-27. The festival will continue the Design Harvest tradition of showcasing local home and garden design vendors; however the revamped model has expanded its offerings by including local artisans and crafters, food trucks, handmade goods, clothing, jewelry designers, neighborhood vendors, a Happy Hour, and more. The fest also features hayrides and family activities along with a mix of live Country and Americana music programmed by Chicago’s legendary music venue, Hideout. Here are some of the activities festival-goers can enjoy:
The Outdoor Art & Design: Grand Art & Design Festival is geared towards enthusiasts of all mediums of art and design objects. Outside, Grand Art & Design Festival will no longer feature a large tent of design vendors. Instead, all outdoor vendors will exhibit in their own 10′ x 10′ space and individual tent. Jewelry, crafts, fine artists, and artisans will now be featured along with furniture and garden vendors from past years.
The Indoor Art & Design: The Grand Avenue Design District area provides numerous brick and mortar home and garden design retailers to explore during the festival. New this year is an indoor exhibition area at Grand Art & Design Festival headquarters, EuroFurniture (2145 W. Grand). Designers or artists who require more time to set up, and/or need a weather proof exhibition area, will be staged inside the expansive warehouse. In lieu of hosting an official pre or post party like in previous years, EuroFurniture will feature a cocktail bar with wine and beer available all day, both days.
The Food Trucks: Another new element to Grand Art & Design Festival is an alliance with the Illinois Food Truck Owners Association, which will be sending over a dozen of its top food trucks each day. The trucks will be staged within the fest site, as well as outside the festival on Grand running west of Damen. The food trucks will provide fest-goers with mobile delicacies and treats, everything from tamales to lobster rolls, mac n’ cheese to cupcakes.
The Family Activities: For parents with children, there will be a ton of family fun offered at Christy Webber Farm & Garden Center’s Fall Harvest Festival, taking place in conjunction with Grand Art & Design Festival. Free hay rides will truck families back and forth between Grand Art & Design Festival and the Harvest Festival at the west end of the district (2200 W. Grand). Families will enjoy a petting zoo, scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, family entertainers, and lots more, with a percentage of the proceeds to benefit local schools.
Music Headliners: On Saturday you can enjoy music by The Henhouse Prowlers and The Golden Horse Ranch Band (square dance in the street!). Sunday’s headliners are Caleb Klauder; Shake ‘Em On Down.
Grand Art & Design Festival takes place September 26 and 27 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Grand Avenue from Wood to Western. There is a $5 donation requested for admittance that benefits the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce and Designs 4 Dignity.
