Big summer events boost Chicago tourism
CHICAGO (CBS) -- It's a busy weekend in Chicago with an iconic boat race, a huge music festival, and "Queen B."
CBS 2 was there as crowds checked out Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park in the city's Near West neighborhood. Festival goers were temporarily forced to evacuate due to rain but were able to return less than an hour later.
The rain also made the wait longer for Beyonce fans after organizers were forced to delay entry.
"I'm excited. You know what I'm talking about. I am ready. I have been waiting three years since the pandemic. Since 2018 and she was supposed to come back but she hasn't. And today's the day," said fan Shana Herd.
Fans ran from the rain and hid under any cover they could find while they waited to be let in at Soldier Field.
"I am very excited. I have been a lifelong fan, and this is the first time I get to see Beyoncé in person. And I am so excited, so happy to be here," said Erin O'Keefe.
Add in home Cubs games and the Race to Mackinac, and there's a lot happening in the city.
The full economic impact won't be known for weeks, but the bar is high. Chicago's tourism and conventions bureau announced last month that Taylor Swift weekend set an all-time record for hotel room occupancy with more than 44,000 hotel rooms occupied each night -- a total of $39 million in revenue.
In one survey of almost 600 Swifties, they reported spending an average $1,300 on their experiences between tickets, outfits, travel and food.
The Taylor Swift weekend also coincided with the James Beard Awards and an oncology conference. Those figures factored into a very promising trend.
Gov. JB Pritzker said this year's hotel revenue figures have already hit $308 million, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
CBS 2 asked some Beyonce fans what they thought they would spend. Courtney Perry, who packed four potential concert outfits when she traveled from Milwaukee, wouldn't say.
"I don't know," she said. "A number I probably wouldn't want to say on TV."
Beyonce was set to take the stage at 7 p.m. at Soldier Field Saturday and is returning for another show Sunday.
