CHICAGO TRIBUNE’S ROCK THE RIVER FEST RUNS AUGUST 10 AND 11
CHICAGO, July 12, 2001 – Chicago Tribune’s fourth annual Rock the River, a two-day festival celebrating the Chicago River, takes place Friday and Saturday, August 10 and 11. The festival will be held outside Tribune Tower in Pioneer Court and along the river. For the first time, Chinatown will also become a festival site with the help of the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and the Chicago Park District.
The festival kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. with live music by Carl Weathersby in Pioneer Court, just south of the Tribune Tower. Music continues until 10 p.m. Friday with an eclectic blend of music that includes headlining band Eden’s Crush. On Saturday, the free concerts begin at noon and run until 10 p.m., ending with the performance of singer/songwriter Patti Smith in Pioneer Court at 8:30 p.m.
Chinatown will be the site of this year’s fishing derby. Families are invited to participate in this free all-day event beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday. Prizes will be awarded for catching tagged fish from the river. A special Dragon Boat Race for charity runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event, sponsored by Barbara’s Bookstore, will run in Chinatown and proceeds will go to Banneker School for the purchasing of books, part of the Chicago Tribune’s TribUnity literacy campaign. All Chinatown events will be held in Ping Tom Memorial Park, right on the river at 300 W. 19th Street.
Back in Pioneer Court, families can enjoy a wide array of activities including eleven themed boat cruises with live entertainment, an arts & crafts exposition, a fish fry, fireworks and other events both Friday and Saturday.
“With the addition of the Chinatown site, Rock the River offers more this year than ever before,” said Maureen Martino, senior event producer. “We’re proud that this festival celebrates the Chicago River and its important role in the life of the city.”
Rock the River is produced by the Chicago Tribune and presented by American Invesco along with sponsors including Metromix.com, CLTV, WGN-TV, WXRT, American Airlines and American Eagle, Kiss FM, Radio Disney, Shoreline Charters, Splash Resorts, Mayor’s Office of Special Events, Henry’s Sports & Bait Shop, Inc., Wild Hare and blackvoices.com.
