Fest season is going strong into September with a new fest that promises to be the wurst.
The Wurst Fest, coming to Daley Plaza from Sept. 18 to 20, celebrates local sausage-makers who utilize naturally pastured, sustainably raised meat from local farms.
"There's a renaissance of the butcher and sausage," said Mark Wilhelm, founder of Red Meat Market, a parter of The Wurst Fest with the City of Chicago's Farmers Market program. "I believe sausage is the new darling of the culinary world"
Spencer Bangers, West Loop Salumi, Big Fork, Chef Martin, Big Fork and more will be on-site, serving up sausage-on-a-stick, sausage cones and bison dogs for $5. Demos ranging from "gourmet cooking with sausage" to "beer pairings with sausage" from the likes of Lance Avery of Big Fork, Greg Laketek of West Loop Salumi and Greg Gunthorp of Gunthorp Farms and others will also be on the bill.
"The chefs who will be there are the up-and-coming sausage-makers," Wilhelm said. "They hand-make the sausages themselves; it's made with locally produced pork with no antibiotics, no steroids and no hormones. It's as good as it's going to get."
Artizone will be serving sides of sauerkraut for $1 with Goose Island providing their Oktoberfest, Green Line American Pale Ale and Matilda beers for $6-$7 and craft sodas for $2. For $7, festgoers can get a white Riesling or sec noir from Fox Valley Winery and Illinois Wines.
The Wurst Fest will also host performers on its main stage each day. Mazes and Scott Lucas & the Married Men will perform Wednesday; Lawrence Peters Outfit, La Jesus and Chicago Afrobeat Project on Thursday, and Opposition Party and DJ Madrid with Kat V on Friday.
Admittance for The Wurst Festival is free.
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