Weekly Artisan Food Festival Launching in Wicker Park

A new outdoor market is launching in Wicker Park with organizers placing a big emphasis on artisan food.

The NOSH at Wicker Park is kicking off July 13 at the A.N. Pritzker School playground on the corner of Damen and Evergreen avenues. Running on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the new artisan market will set up shop every weekend this summer.

“The NOSH at Wicker Park will be a unique food festival where market goers will have the opportunity to discover new, interesting eats from well-known local establishments and new food entrepreneurs, alike,” Operations and Marketing Manager Ratchel Fletcher said in a statement. 

“Our goal is to create a genuine Chicago food destination, happening every Saturday that will draw audiences back week after week,” she continued.

Featuring more than 30 artisan food vendors, The NOSH will have both pre-prepared dishes and locally packaged goods, Fletcher said. It’ll also include healthy and vegetarian options.

Some of the offerings during the first weekend will include seasoned lobster rolls from Da Lobsta, cumin braised pulled lamb sandwiches from Mr. Spanky’s, delectable pies from First Slice and Mexican specialties from Mixteco Grill.

The move from traditional farmers market to a more artisan-style market is a growing trend in Chicago, with officials in Lake View launching a similar market on Southport Avenue earlier this season. Dubbed the Low Line Market, it features a smaller selection of artisan vendors beneath the Brown Line station on Thursday nights.