Taste of Chicago 2008

Schedule of Events by Day

June 27
Petrillo Music Shell

5:30 p.m. - Chaka Kahn and Angie Stone

Dominick's Cooking Corner Stage

11:00 a.m. - Kocoa Scott-Winbush, Kocoa's Kitchen
Noon - Cynda Paris, Cirque du Soleil
1:00 p.m. - Jimmy Bannos, Heaven on Seven
2:00-4:00 p.m. - George F. Reisch, Anheuser-Busch "Cooking With Beer"
4:00 p.m. - David Ross, Frontier at Lake Lawn Resort
5:00 p.m. - Joseph Doppes, Bistrot Margot

July 5
Petrillo Music Shell

5:30 p.m. - Bonnie Raitt

Dominick's Cooking Corner Stage

11:00 a.m. - Wilber Jones, Smothered Southern Foods
Noon - Isabella and Olivia Gerasole, Spatulatta.com
1:00 p.m. - Greg Mistak, LaPetite Amelia Bistro
2:00 p.m. - Tony Navarro, 200 East Supper Club
3:00 p.m. - Dennis Gault, Ret. Chicago Fire Department
4:00 p.m. - Greg Johnson, Parrot Cage
5:00 p.m. - Greg Mistak, Omaggio

Taste Stage

Noon - La Zafra
1:30 p.m. - Diana Rein
3:00 p.m. - Shannon Raye
4:30 p.m. - Caozz
6:00 p.m. - Chicago Groove Collective
7:30 p.m. - Bumpus

Fun Time Stage - Family Entertainment

11:30 a.m., 2:45 p.m. - The Sippy Cups
12:45 p.m. - M.A.D.D. Rhythms
1:45, 4:15 p.m. - The Wiggles from Six Flags Great America (not the "real" Wiggles)
5:15 p.m. - Create Your Identity. Dance!

Family Village

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - Face Painting
11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - Lego Block Party
11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. - Green Activities for Kids!
11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. - Meet Bugs Bunny and Sylvester
Noon-5:00 p.m. - Jumping Jack Inflatable
1:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. - Plaster of Paradise magnet activity
3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. - Meet your favorite Wiggles Characters (not the "real" Wiggles)
4:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. - It's U Caricatures
5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. - Family Bingo

July 6
Petrillo Music Shell

2:00 p.m. - Aly & AJ, A Cursive Memory, Keke Palmer

Dominick's Cooking Corner Stage

11:00 a.m. - Sonny Lim, Kitchy Koo Gourmet; Lavarro Greer, Heaven's Best Butters; Kristen Immens, Goldie's Scones
Noon - Mark Sparac...

A review of the 2008 Taste of Chicago
Noticeably gone this year was the water log ride. I guess it was replaced with the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage? But that mad the ride for the United Ferris Wheel longer since that was the only teenage and adult ride.

There was definitely a lot of Olympic promotion going on, there was a nice fenced off area so you can view the balloon and flags with the Olympic insignias.

There was also a Jumbo Screen TV by Buckingham fountain. Not a lot of interest, especially since people go to events to get away from TV. Also it was playing reruns of late night TV shows.

Who else but Stevie Wonder could turn most of Chicago's Grant Park into a giant dance floor?

Marking his first performance at the Taste of Chicago Festival in 20 years, Wonder delighted 78,000 fans on June 28th, treating them to major hits, a few covers, and obscure album tracks. Ranging from introspective to playful to celebratory, Wonder inspired the audience with his infectious joy and powerful voice.

Live reviews from Taste of Chicago

Updating throughout Day 1 of Taste of Chicago

Race you to the Taste! Our Stew team--Phil Vettel (PV), Monica Eng (ME), Chris Borrelli (CB) and Judy Hevrdejs (JH)--arrived at the opening bell, and is tasting all of the food items making their Taste debut. As soon as we taste 'em, we'll let you know how they rate on our scale: Get it!, Meh or Forget it!