LINCOLN SQUARE — It's baaaack. The Square Roots festival will return to Lincoln Square July 12-14 for a second outing after a bumpy introduction in 2012.
The Old Town School of Folk Music and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce will once again team up to produce Square Roots, which combines craft brews and neighborhood eateries with an extensive music lineup programmed by Old Town.
Food vendors are expected to again lean heavily toward local restaurants — The Grafton, Fountainhead and Bistro Campagne participated last year — and the music will represent Old Town's range from alt-country to Americana, indie rock to soul, with both indoor and outdoor stages.
The participating craft brewers have yet to be announced, but could include repeat visits from Metropolitan, 5 Rabbit, Founders and Finch's.
Square Roots in effect replaced Old Town's popular Folk & Roots festival, a move that drew criticism from residents and sparked an online petition calling for the return of Folk & Roots. The primary point of contention: a switch in location from the family- and picnic-friendly Welles Park to the streets of Lincoln Avenue.
Despite the grumblings, more than 25,000 people attended the inaugural Square Roots, a number organizers said they expect to build on this year.
Old Town is still accepting submissions from bands interested in performing at the festival; Email electronic links to squarerootsbooking@oldtownschool.org. Only original artists will be considered.
