By Kelly White
Marist High School celebrated the summer season this past week with an outdoor music festival.
The coed Catholic college preparatory high school, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago, hosted its second annual Southside SummerFest on July 22 and the rain did not keep alumni away.
“It is just such a fun night with a great energy,” Fr. Tom Hurley, Vice President of Advancement and Ministry at Marist High School, said. “I love all the bands performing. What I especially love most about the night is that it brings together so many people from the community, no matter where they may have gone to high school, or where their children may attend. You run into so many people you know that you haven’t seen in a long time, and that makes the night even better.”
The idea for the event sparked from Hurley who was a prior pastor for 17 years at Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in downtown Chicago and had a fantastic run of helping out for 24 years with their World’s Largest Block Party.
While organizing Marist’s Southside SummerFest, Hurley brought together a few people who helped with the World’s Largest Block Party, others who have done large-scale events around the City and greater Chicago area, staff at Marist, as well as some incredibly dedicated alums and volunteers. He led the team alongside Marist’s President, Larry Tucker.
“We really wanted to create a fun event for the community that everyone would want to attend,” Hurley said. “I guess you could say Southside Summerfest, in many ways, takes the concept of the World’s Largest Block Party, and brings it to a beautiful high school campus, right here on the south side.”
Southside SummerFest was a community event, open to ages 21 and above, and was an outdoor musical concert on the Marist Football Field. Marist opened its campus to the entire community for the one-day festival and gathered together nearly 4,000 attendees, surpassing last year’s amount of 2,500 attendees.
Music was featured from the talented Freddy Jones Band, Mr. Blotto and American Pie.
Chicago staple Lou Malnati’s sponsored the event along with many other local and global businesses, including: Motorola, Wintrust, Aldridge, Original Pancake House in Beverly and Oak Lawn, along with many other businesses who have been very generous in contributing to the event.
“If you’ve ever had Lou Malnati’s pizza, it is absolutely delicious,” Hurley said.
Chicago Police from the 22nd District were on-site to ensure a safe event for all attendees.
“I think anyone who attended had a guaranteed a great night,” Hurley said. “It is truly an event like no other on the south side. Music lovers, or just people who want a fun night out with great live bands, delicious food and drinks.”
Presale tickets were sold in advance for $35 through July 21. At the door tickets were $40; and VIP tickets – of which only 200 were sold and included food and drink — were $150.
All money collected from the Southside SummerFest helps provide financial aid and support to the high school’s students.
“The money we raised from this evening will help to provide financial aid assistance to many of our families and students,” Hurley said. “More than 50 percent of students at Marist High School receive some type of scholarship or financial aid. So, by attending Southside SummerFest, you are also helping out a family in need.”
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