Square Roots Festival returns to Lincoln Square with food, music and booze

CHICAGO - The annual Square Roots Festival is taking over Lincoln Avenue between Montrose and Wilson this weekend, all benefiting the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce and the Old Town School of Folk.

The festival sits just off of what is known as Chicago's "Malt Row," which is home to almost a dozen craft breweries and distilleries. Many of their products are on tap Friday through Sunday at Square Roots Fest, which has become a popular and well-loved street fest in Lincoln Square.

"Tonight I'm drinking a Dovetail Lager," said one festival-goer. "Nice and easy, just like tonight. What brings me out is good times and good people. Positive vibes."

Those vibes are in abundance on Lincoln Avenue for the always-popular Square Roots Festival.

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"It's one of the most important institutions for music in the city," said festival co-founder Dave Zybell of the Old Town School of Folk. "People can come here and learn music and dance. You don't need to audition, you just sign up, you come, and you play."

Fresh beer is flowing freely from the tap, all locally brewed.

"It's fantastic," said neighbor Brett Baden. "You have Half Acre, you have Begyle, you have Dovetail, you have Spiteful."

And the festival offers plenty of street food to go with that brew, and nearly 20 bands over three days.

"Bands from Chicago, bands from around the world, and bands from within our community getting on stage together, and it's about as good as it gets," said Zybell.

"I think it's great and I think it's better in Lincoln Square here. I'm a little biased. This is my favorite summer fest," said neighbor Nicole Soraghen.

Square Roots Festival runs from noon til 10pm on Saturday and from noon until 9pm on Sunday. It's family-friendly and pet-friendly, with a $10 suggested donation at the gate.

You can head to the festival's website for a full rundown of all the bands that are going to be playing.