DOWNTOWN — Food trucks will rally again in weekly city-sponsored festivals starting Friday at Daley Plaza.
The Small Business Center in the Department of Business Affairs and Communications announced the return of the festivals Thursday. They'll run weekly at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington Blvd., mostly on Fridays, and monthly at Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Drive, mostly on Thursdays or Fridays. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"These festivals create business opportunities for Chicago’s food entrepreneurs while adding to Chicago’s wealth of outdoor festivals, special events and gatherings that bring people from across the city together," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a statement. "I look forward to seeing and tasting what our local innovative businesses have to offer."
The city's licensed food trucks will be rotated into the fests week by week, and the Small Business Center intends to promote the weekly lineups through its Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest accounts using the hashtag #chicagofoodtruckfest.
So-called mobile boutiques, selling not food but goods such as clothing and shoes out of trucks, will also be invited to participate.
"These festivals are one more way the City of Chicago supports the innovative mobile truck industry across the city," said Maria Guerra Lapacek, commissioner of business affairs. "These festivals are a win-win — they encourage even more people to enjoy the city’s growing culinary options, while supporting these innovative small businesses."
The Daley Plaza dates are March 4, 11, 18 and 25; April 8, 15 and 21; May 6, 11 and 27; June 3, 10, 17 and 21; July 1, 6, 15 and 29; Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 22; Sept. 2, 9, 16, 21 and 30; and Oct. 7, 14 and 26.
The Willis Tower dates are March 31, April 29, May 20, June 30, July 22, Aug. 31, Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
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