13th Annual Free Eli’s Cheesecake Festival – October 3-4

Come on out on October 3rd and 4th and enjoy the thirteenth annual Eli’s Cheesecake Festival!  Admission is free and open to the public.   There are lots of things for the whole family at this free festival — you will get to see the Jesse White Tumblers flying over a giant Eli’s Cheesecake; the Michigan Apple Queen and her Court; The Happiness Club performing their award-winning free musical show; lots of free music including Band on the Run, Karen Hart Band, the Teflons and more music for adults and kids; a family stage full of free entertainment; a free classic car show with over 100 cars; free cooking demos with celebrity chefs; kids’ activities including a Cheesecake Olympics with cheesecake eating contests, cheesecake bingo and cheesecake hula hoop contests!

All of this will take place at the Eli’s Cheesecake Festival, Saturday, October 3,  9:00am-5:00pm and Sunday, October 4, 11:00am-5:00pm at Eli’s Cheesecake World, corner of Montrose and Forest Preserve Drive in Chicago.   The festival celebrates the 13th anniversary of Eli’s Cheesecake World, the 62,000 square foot state-of-the-art bakery, café, retail store and visitors’ center where Chicago’s favorite dessert is made.   A portion of the proceeds from food and cheesecake sales will benefit the New Horizons Center, a school for the developmentally disabled located  adjacent to the bakery.  In addition, donate any non-perishable food to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and get a free slice of Eli’s Cheesecake.

The Main Stage will feature live entertainment including the Jesse White Tumblers, The Teflons (bluegrass), June’s got the Cash (Johnny Cash tribute), the Band on the Run (tribute to Paul McCartney), Neil Rose Band (Chicago blues), The Happiness Club, and many more to be announced. The Family Stage sponsored by Equal® will feature entertainment for the whole family with Redmoon Theater, Dancemates, The Swingsets, and the Linda Smith Trio.  The Culinary Tent sponsored by Michigan Apples will feature free samples, education and live culinary demonstrations with Eli’s pastry chefs and guest chefs. On Saturday, October 3, visit our NEW Farmer’s Craft Market. Sunday, October 4th, enjoy our annual Classic Car Show.

Eat dessert first, but save room for real food from our grill!  The menu includes hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and roasted corn on the cob. Also, visit our Culinary Pavilion to see chef demos and sample culinary delights from around the city.

Eli’s will hold its special anniversary dock sale Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  A large variety of cheesecakes will be available at special birthday prices.  In addition, guests can visit the Eli’s Cheesecake Retail Store and discover the largest selection of Eli’s Cheesecake anywhere as well as house made cookies, fruit tarts, pies, birthday cakes and cupcakes created exclusively for Eli’s bakery.

Admission is free and open to the public and ample free parking is available.
Photos available upon request.  For specific performance and activity schedules visit www.cheesecakefestival.com