606 Block Party - 1 Year Celebration

Chicago families, neighbors, and visitors are invited to join us for a festive block party, with musical performances, community-led processions, food, and activities for people of all ages.

The 606 Block Party activities kick off at 10 a.m. with a festival at Humboldt Boulevard between Wabansia Ave. and Cortland Ave. – featuring two music stages, one with acts presented by Vocalo and Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, and the other featuring Summer Dance-style programming. Performances include: Luis Palermo and the Barsa All-Stars (Salsa), The Flat Five (Alternative Country), Los Vicios de Papá (Latin Ska /Reggae), and two-time Grammy nominee Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players.

Throughout the day, the Chicago Park District’s Kidsmobile will provide crafts at Julia de Burgos Park and family recess games at Walsh Park, while artists from Opera-Matic and Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center create performances along the Bloomingdale Trail.

Neighbors and friends of The 606 are invited to show their community spirit by forming their own processions along the Bloomingdale Trail toward the Humboldt Boulevard festival to enjoy food, music and 30 booths with hands-on activities. Gather your people and suit up for a procession that you design, with whatever bells, whistles and bling you like. Choose your own starting point and time, and we hope you will make your way to the Block Party on Humboldt Boulevard. We’ll have special surprises tucked in for you to enjoy all along the trail.

The 606 Block Party will close out with attendees making illuminated objects, with the help of artists on hand, and joining the “Illumination Hour” procession on the Bloomingdale Trail from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“An abandoned rail line that used to divide four neighborhoods is now uniting them and bringing residents from across Chicago to walk, bike, or simply enjoy this unique public space,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “In just the first year, the 606 has become a true community corridor and one of Chicago’s great promenades. On this special first anniversary, I want to congratulate everyone from the community who never gave in and never gave up, as well as all of the partners who helped make the 606 a reality.”

The Trust for Public Land would like to recognize The Reva and David Logan Foundation, Comcast, NBC Universal and Northwestern Medicine Bucktown as official partners of The 606 Block Party, and Goose Island as the official beer sponsor. Other key supporters include Under Armour, Clif Bar & Company, Chiro One and Micro Kickboard.