The weather’s warming up, meaning it’s almost time for music and micheladas at Oakwood Beach again.
Michelada Fest, known simply as “Miche Fest,” will return to Chicago’s South Side beach at 4100 S. Lake Shore Dr. on July 19 and 20 for a fun-filled music festival that revolves around the popular Mexican cocktail: the michelada.
The drink is made with a base of Clamato tomato juice, light Mexican-style beer, lime juice and salt, and depending on who’s making it, gets enhanced with things like spicy chamoy powder, tangy tamarindo, and Worcestershire sauce.
More than a dozen michelada vendors will be on-site for the festival alongside more diverse food options, amenities, and added beach activities, festival founder Fernando Nieto said. Most vendors are based in Chicago, but the festival has attracted small businesses from all over the country hoping to gain recognition.
This year’s festival has “the biggest lineup ever,” he said.
Day one performances include Venezuelan singer-songwriter and producer Danny Ocean. Also on Saturday’s lineup are Anitta, Tokischa, FloyyMenor and Snow Tha Product.
Saturday will also feature a performance from Major Lazer Soundsystem, the EDM trio that includes music producer Diplo and DJs Walshy Fire and Ape Drums.
Day two is all about Mexican music with Grupo Firme headlining the night. More modern corrido singers Luis R. Conriquez, Codiciado and Los Alegres del Barranco and Edgardo Núñez are among those on the bill for Sunday, too.
Netón Vega will also bring his regional Mexican sound to Miche Fest on Sunday with an exclusive performance.
New this year is a second stage dedicated to showcasing local artists, including Banda La Enkantadora, Banda Peñasco de Zacatecas, Los De La Homan, Mamicana, and Héctor De La M. A separate lineup for that stage will be released soon, festival organizers said.
There will also be an area with a mini DJ stage activation to feature even more homegrown talent.
“We started off as a street festival and our whole team is comprised of Latinos from the South Side of Chicago,” Nieto said. “We take a lot of pride in being very much by Latinos for Latinos.”
This is the festival’s second iteration at Oakwood Beach after residents in Pilsen lodged complaints over the amount of foot traffic, noise and parking issues brought to the neighborhood.
Weekend passes for Michelada Fest go on sale April 4 at 12 p.m.
