CHICAGO ( June 5, 2020 ): In light of the City of Chicago's recent announcement to issue no special events permits through Labor Day 2020, the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce ( ACC ) has officially canceled the postponement of Midsommarfest previously rescheduled for the weekend of August 21-23, 2020.
In lieu of the outdoor street festival, ACC encourages supporters and fans to attend the virtual event, Andersonville at Home: A Midsommarfest Experience & Fundraiser streaming live on Facebook on Friday, June 12. The event will also help ACC raise some necessary funds in order to remain operational as a 501c6 organization in support of the small business community.
"Of course, we are sad that we will not be able to share the street festival Midsommarfest experience with the community in person, but we hope folks will join us for the virtual event instead," says ACC Events and Community Manager Laura Austin. "Tune in to see some familiar faces and connect with the neighborhood through song and celebration."
New to the lineup for Andersonville at Home, ACC welcomes longtime Midsommarfest favorite 16 Candles and The Voice finalist Katie Kadan, who would have made her Midsommarfest debut this summer. The event will also feature special messages from 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez and 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman. The full program can be viewed at andersonville.org/midsommarfest.
ACC has also collaborated with Urban Renewal Brewery on a limited run of a dry-hopped American Wheat beer titled, Never Further. Never Closer. The title and label were designed with Zoom & virtual events in mind, and even nod to Andersonville's Swedish heritage featuring a floral crown in the label art:
"We wanted our community to come together by sharing a beer, even if it can only be done virtually," comments Urban Renewal Brewery owner James Moriarty. "Today, this beer seems even more relevant and necessary. As our community is reeling from the injustice served to many of our neighbors, it is even more imperative that we all come together. We hope that Never Closer. Never Further is a mechanism for us to start building a stronger and just community."
Never Further. Never Closer is brewed with Citra, El Dorado, and Simcoe hops. At 4.9% ABV, it will be light, crisp, and packed full of fruity citrus hops. Urban Renewal is canning this limited run beer on June 10, and will have it available for $10 per 4-pack ( plus tax ) or $50 per case ( plus tax ) at their bottle shop ( 5121 N Ravenswood ) with the hope to supply locally in Andersonville as well. Urban Renewal plans to donate 100% of beer proceeds to support ACC.
Additional collaborations for the event include a free Andersonville FIKA t-shirt giveaway from Colectivo Coffee Andersonville starting on June 11 with a purchase of $20 or more while supplies last, and a DIY cocktail kit featuring BERTOUX brandy and Chicago made Apologue Saffron Liqueur sold at Andersonville Wine and Spirits starting on Tuesday, June 9 with $8 from every kit donated to ACC.
When visitors come to Midsommarfest during a normal summer and make a donation at the gate, they are given a raffle ticket to enter to win prizes. Andersonville at Home will also feature a raffle with four mega prize packages donated by Andersonville businesses. Those who donate $10 or more to ACC now through June 21 ( one week after the event ) will be entered to win. Higher donation amounts will result in additional entries. A selection of the featured raffle prizes include:
Bryn Mawr Jewelry has donated a 14kt white gold diamond necklace with 120 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing approx 0.25cts, retailing at $800 and a Citizen Watch ( chronograph, black on black ) retailing at $450.
A $500 gift card to The Guesthouse Hotel, champagne, sweet treats and a free upgrade
A 3 month membership to Cheetah Gym with unlimited classes
A gift basket to the Swedish American Museum
And gift certificates to some of the following businesses: Gus Giordano Dance School, Vincent, Bar Roma, Prevent Chronic Pain, Cowboys and Astronauts, Reza's Restaurant, Cassona Home Furnishings, Orange Shoe Personal Fitness and Robert Jeffery Hair Studio
Raffle prize packages can be found on the Andersonville at andersonville.org/midsommarfest/raffle-packages/ .
For the weekend of June 12-14, Andersonville businesses have also jumped on board to support ACC's fundraising efforts. The Wooden Spoon will donate 10% of retail sales from June 12 - 14, and Mercantile M is donating 25% of all purchases made on June 12 to ACC.
Andersonville at Home will air on Facebook Live starting with a pre-show at 6:00 p.m. on June 12 and followed by the main event at 7:00 p.m. Guests can RSVP in advance via the Andersonville At Home Facebook event.
Donations for the event will be collected through Venmo to the ACC at username @AvilleChamber, by phone at 773-728-2995, or by mailed check to ACC at 5217 N Clark, #3 Chicago, IL 60640. While not tax-deductible, all donors will be supplied with a written receipt and be added to the donors page on the Anderosnville at Home website.
If viewers are not able to tune in on Friday, June 12, the pre-show and main event will both be posted to ACC's YouTube channel after the event has aired live.
More information about programming and business collaborations will continue to be updated at andersonville.org/midsommarfest .
The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce fosters a vibrant environment in which Andersonville businesses can thrive by attracting a diverse customer base; providing business support services and advocacy; and engaging in business attraction, long-range planning, and economic development.
—From a press release
