Chicago Fest West festival

With or without Spring Training, the Chicago Fest West will go on as planned on Saturday, March 19, 2022 outside at the Mesa Convention Center with proceeds benefiting College Bound AZ a local 501c3 non-profit. The festival is a celebration of all things Chicago through music, food, sports and other attractions that was to coincide with the Cubs and White Sox Spring Training. 

The Chicago Fest West festival celebrates the music, food and sports history of Chicago during the Cactus League Spring Training to attract  Chicagoans and Arizona locals. Visitors to the festival can stop by the artisan booths or go on a treasure hunt to find Mrs. O’Leary’s cow hidden in various places at the festival, see chalk artists, have photos taken with famous Chicago landscapes, experience authentic Windy City Hot Dogs and watch the dog eating contest, play cornhole and listen to music from Chicago Rewired –Chicago. REOSpeedwagon, and Tom Petty Tribute Bands and other music from America’s heartland. A bagpipe performance opens the event, followed by music that ranges from blues to soft rock. Craft beer and cocktails will be available, or visitors may access the VIP Lounge for a private bar, catered food, and special seating. The 1-day festival hours are 2 pm – 10:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased now at chicagofestwest.com, youth 18 and under are free. 

Tickets can  also be purchased for the VIP Party held on Friday March 18, 2022 from 6 pm to 10 pm at Hob Nob Sports Grill, 7200 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler where fans can get an autograph or photo taken with Chicago Bears Quarterback Jim McMahon.  There will also be a silent and live auction included to raise additional funds for College Bound AZ’s education programs. Tickets for the VIP Party will be available closer to the event date.

College Bound AZ provides direct one on one services to help undereserved youth achieve their dream of a brighter future through education.  College Bound supports the students to and through complete college. Services include a middle school mentoring program, high school college access program and internships, laptops for college, and a college food pantry to help keep low-income students in college.  College Bound works with 11 School districts and has offices at the East Valley Institute of Technology campuses in Mesa.  

Major event sponsors include Visit Mesa, the Arizona Office of Tourism, Vienna Beef, Crescent Crown, Arizona State University, and Affinity Technology, Inc.

About College Bound AZ

Established in 2010, College Bound AZ has been steadily advancing as the premier nonprofit community resource, guiding aspiring under-represented students with their journey to college through mentorship, guidance, and support. Operating in the Greater Metropolitan Phoenix Area, College Bound AZ delivers indispensable direct assistance to students in grades 7 through college, serving approximately 750 students through its junior high, high school, and college programs.

College Bound AZ is an Arizona Qualified Charitable Organization (QCO),  a  registered 501(c)3 nonprofit charity, and a Certified Autism Center.  All philanthropic contributions to College Bound AZ are 100% tax deductible and may qualify for the Arizona Tax Credit to the fullest extent allowed by law.

For more information, visit cbaz.org or Chicagofestwest.com