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ACTIVATE Inspires thousands to dream in color

Posted  20 months ago  in  Trending

1 MIN READ – In June, Chicago Loop Alliance revitalized the historic Quincy Street and LaSalle Corridor for the one-night-only return of ACTIVATE. The popular event series started in 2014, activates unexpected places in the Loop as a celebration of arts and culture. The June 30 event brought thousands to the intersection of Quincy and LaSalle for art, music, dancing, food and drink.


Fast facts about the success of ACTIVATE

  • Over 4,000 attendees of all ages across 125 unique Chicago zip codes visited the event
  • 63% of attendees visited a Loop landmark before, during, after ACTIVATE, spending an average of $38 each for a direct economic impact of over $97,000 in one night.
  • 93% attendee satisfaction rate
  • 98% of attendees felt safe at ACTIVATE
  • 51% of attendees had not visited the Loop in the past month prior to ACTIVATE

Attendees have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback. The data shows that attendees appreciate the vitality of free, public programming like ACTIVATE, and their perception of the Loop is positively shaped by community-based efforts that exhibit joy.

ACTIVATE DJ Moose said, "There's more to Pride than North...Chicago Loop Alliance's ACTIVATE was truly what I've always wanted Chicago Pride to be - a huge, all-inclusive cultural street festival for everyone...every neighborhood in Chicago came together and just had joy and love and nothing but nice things to say and they dance all night and everyone smiled."

ACTIVATE also received high praise from Crain's, stating, "In addition to the temporary art-fair-meets-block-party vibe, ACTIVATE permanently etches itself in the spatial memories of attendees, who never pass the mundane space again without the party winking in the mind’s eye." 

WHAT’S NEXT?

Although ACTIVATE won’t return this year, Chicago Loop Alliance continues to create and promote engaging, free and open to the public programming for Chicagoans and beyond. Join us at Sundays on State – an interactive block party that closes State Street from Monroe to Lake for select Sundays this summer. RSVP in advance for a chance to win $1000 Loop staycation package.

Exclusive Loop deals, recommendations, and news direct from Chicago Loop Alliance.