LASplash.com: Chicago Events Northhalsted Street Market Days offers a little somethin' for everyone By Beth Brauer-Delaney Anyone can strike a pose. As it turns out, the Pride Parade is Boystown’s prequel summer event.   Northhalsted Street Market Days is where it’s at.   This north side Chicago neighborhood does it up bigger and better than any other street festival in the Midwest.  August 11-12 marked the 26th year of what is now recognized as the Midwest’s largest two-day street fair.   Perhaps Chicago earned bragging rights by making the weekend event appeal to a variety of tastes.  No one will go hungry with a range of delectable summer treats like a lobster roll from Hearty Boys or the buttery goodness of grilled corn cobs.  Cool down with an ice cold beer or a tall cup of sangria. Nothing says summer like some fresh grilled corn dripping with butter! Like the Pride Parade, Market Days offers a fun anything-goes attitude, but a little less raucous.  Sure, if you’re hoping to see some outlandishly dressed transvestites or some smokin’ hot men in their skivvies, you’ll get that but on a more subdued level.  While you are pondering the paradox of that last statement, trust me when I say there is less debauchery, which makes this event more family friendly.  TransAmerica in Chicago! With four different stages and more than 40 performances, it’s hard not to find something for everyone.  This year’s main attraction was super 80’s icon Taylor Dane.  If you can get enough of her love, Cathy Richardson, Powder, Big Brother & the Holding Co. plus many more artists were there to help market-goers get their groove on. Twister is a FUNraiser!   Score with edible freebies like cookies from Whole Foods, yogurt from Stonyfield Farm, and smoothies from Naked.  When you are full from your smorgasbord of goodies, take a stroll and enjoy all things related to shopping.  Whether you are looking for a fake Prada or a funky wine rack, one can find just about anything he or she has or has not wanted.  Gucci, Prada, and Coach at bargain prices. Seems too good to be true! Vendors from near and far sell an array of items for the fashionista hoping to don her two for twenty Yves Saint Laurent sunglasses to the hippie in need of some incense and pukka shells to the art savant who has been searching for that perfect piece to display over the fireplace.  Every so often, it’s wise to rest both the tummy and the wallet.  One can find plenty to do at little to no cost.  Get involved and learn more about local and national politics and a variety of other non-profits geared to help Fido find his forever home or Jon and Jake live in civil matrimony. Original art by Wicked Nell If I haven’t piqued your interest, perhaps you might check out the Illinois State Fair.  That’s cool.  For more information about Northhalsted Street Market Days, visit http://www.northalsted.com/market_days.php.    Published Aug 20, 2007 © Copyright 2003-2004 by LA Splash.com