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“MEET ME ON THE MILE” DATES ANNOUNCED FOR NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE OUTDOOR CELEBRATIONS The Association to host three street celebrations and six plaza concerts with limited street closures to accommodate unique experiences July 22 – October 24 (July 14, 2021): The Magnificent Mile Association (MMA) with support from the City of Chicago, introduces Meet Me on The Mile, an outdoor activation series that supports area businesses and nearby cultural institutions with programming to entice locals and tourists alike to celebrate Chicago’s reopening. Beginning Thursday, July 22, Meet Me on The Mile will feature free entertainment in outdoor plazas bi-weekly throughout the district. The series will also offer extraordinary pedestrian access to portions of North Michigan Avenue, closed to traffic, one Sunday each month between August and October for the Sunday Spectacles.

“A Michigan Avenue closure for a summer activation series is unprecedented; the Avenue’s prior closures include our annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, Run Mag Mile, and, of course, hosting Oprah’s farewell show,” says Kimberly Bares, MMA president and CEO. “We have fantastic advocates for this series, and we especially want to thank our district aldermen, Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) and Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward), for their openness to innovation and this incredible opportunity to create a brand-new experience and attraction for The Magnificent Mile in the coming months,” she adds.

“We’re excited to support the innovative Meet Me on The Mile activations as part of our ongoing Open Chicago initiative. With more and more residents and visitors looking to celebrate summer in Chicago and explore the iconic Michigan Avenue, this kind of engaging programming will allow us to make steady progress in our reopening and recovery efforts,” says Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot.

Free entertainment kicks off Thursday, July 22 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. with two acoustic pop-up concerts along the Avenue to enjoy after work and before dinner. The Brian Patti Dixieland Dudes will play two 45-minute sets at 875 N. Michigan Avenue’s Garden Plaza from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and Mariachi Ameca will play two 45-minute sets at (401 N. Michigan Ave.) from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The alternating concert schedule purposefully offers music seekers time to wander between the acts and explore the full length of The Mile, while discovering retailers, restaurants, and other attractions along the Avenue.

MMA representatives at each event will present current offers featured at area businesses as well as future programming lineups. Meet Me on The Mile Thursday Pop-Up Concerts will continue bi-weekly in various locations through September 30.

The Meet Me on The Mile Sunday Spectacles begin on Sunday, August 15 and run 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. A portion of North Michigan Avenue will close by the Historic Water Tower and Jane Byrne Park between Pearson Street and Chicago Avenue with adjacent Tower Court closed between the same cross streets to allow for activations and pedestrian-only zones on the Avenue, an experience typically only granted once a year during the annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, scheduled this year for November 20, 2021.

"Meet Me on the Mile will provide a series of creative activations that will help draw visitors back downtown to Michigan Avenue,” remarks 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly. “I look forward to welcoming tourists and visitors to the Magnificent Mile for family fun and entertainment this summer and fall."

"The Magnificent Mile is an iconic location and is critical to the fabric of Chicago,” comments Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward. “I have always supported and worked closely with the Mag Mile Association to bring vibrancy to this area for our residents and tourists alike. This programing will be a nice addition for the season."

The August 15 lineup is themed around “Music and Motors.” For the entirety of the day, guests can view classic motors parked on Tower Court. A stage will be set-up along North Michigan Avenue backed by the Historic Water Tower on Sunday, August 15 to feature musical acts including the Chicago Bears Drumline brought to you by The Pride Stores, Mariachi Ameca, and the Gray Era Brass Band. Additional programming will feature free a visit from Chicago Bears mascot, Staley Da Bear, Tai Chi and Yoga classes, story time for kids and families, live artists, temporary greenspace with lawn games and picnic tables on North Michigan Avenue, and the opportunity for Instagram-worthy photo opportunities with the Avenue’s famous architectural highlights, as well as a few surprises. The full line-up of programming for Sunday, August 15 will be announced at a later date.

The second Sunday Spectacle is scheduled for Sunday, September 26 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. North Michigan Avenue will be closed starting at Illinois Street and running south over the DuSable Bridge to . Adjacent plazas, Pioneer Court, the plaza at The , and Plaza of the Americas will also feature programming.

The September event is themed around “Mode (fashion), Marriage, and Murals.” Guests will enjoy opportunities for alfresco dining on the Avenue, a fashion show featuring local Magnificent Mile retailers, real-time marriages for pre- selected couples, live chalk muralists at work, and music and dance programming. A full lineup of programming is forthcoming.

MMA is offering an exclusive opportunity to say, “I Do!” on one of the greatest avenues of the world. The elopement experience for engaged couples who enter-to-win is an incredible chance to marry on September 26 during, “Marriages on The Mile – Weddings at Wrigley.” Officiants will lead the ceremonies beneath the iconic Wrigley Building bridge and newly-married participants will experience remarkable photo opportunities on the closed DuSable Bridge, a pop-up floral market, and a party atmosphere. One lucky couple will take home the grand prize, a luxurious Magnificent Mile Honeymoon package. The enter-to-win lottery for Marriages on The Mile – Weddings at Wrigley will open at the end of July. When available, details will be posted on the Meet Me on The Mile website.

The final Sunday Spectacle in the Meet Me on the Mile series is scheduled for Sunday, October 24, and themed around “Market and Makers,” an October fall fest experience. Stay tuned for additional programming details.

Meet Me on The Mile series dates and locations:

• Thursday, July 22 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. o Brian Patti Dixieland Dudes at 875 N. Michigan Ave. Garden Plaza: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. o Mariachi Ameca at Pioneer Court (401 N. Michigan Ave.): 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. • Thursday, August 5 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. o Concert at 875 N. Michigan Ave. Garden Plaza: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. o Concert at Pioneer Court (401 N. Michigan Ave.): 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. • Sunday, August 15 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. o Historic Water Tower Activation at North Michigan Ave. between Pearson St. and Chicago Ave. • Thursday, August 19 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. o Concert at 875 N. Michigan Ave. Garden Plaza: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. o Concert at Pioneer Court (401 N. Michigan Ave.): 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. • Thursday, September 2 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. o Concert at TBD: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. o Concert at TBD: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. • Thursday, September 16 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

o Concert at TBD: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. o Concert at TBD: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. • Sunday, September 26 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. o Activation at North Michigan Ave. between Illinois St. and Wacker Dr. • Thursday, September 30 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. o Concert at TBD: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. o Concert at TBD: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. • Sunday, October 24 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. o Historic Water Tower Activation at North Michigan Ave. between Pearson St. and Chicago Ave. Meet Me on The Mile is supported by the City of Chicago, the 42nd Ward, the 2nd Ward, World Business Chicago, Tamar Productions, 875 North Michigan Avenue (The Former John Hancock Building), Zeller/The Wrigley Building (410 N. Michigan Ave.) and Zeller/Pioneer Court (401 N. Michigan Ave.). Meet Me on The Mile is actively seeking additional sponsorship. Interested parties can view Sponsorship Opportunities here.

The Magnificent Mile® Association was founded in 1912 and is a private, nonprofit membership organization with a mission of preserving, promoting, and enhancing one of Chicago’s most unique, multi-use neighborhoods.

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