I Heart Halal fest returns to Chicago’s Navy Pier with more food | Eater Chicago

"Last year was a learning experience for the organizers of I Heart Halal, an event that debuted in 2018 at Navy Pier and was billed as America’s first halal lifestyle festival: organizers expected 5,000 attendees over three days but about 17,000 showed up, causing vendors to run out of food after long lines. Through feedback, food emerged as the top reason people came (followed by meeting friends and hanging out downtown), so the festival returns April 12–14 with a footprint increased by 50 percent, a bigger food court, performances (including Lupe Fiasco), and Top Chef– and Cake Boss–style competitions using halal ingredients — all intended to capture a spirit of inclusiveness and be ready for much larger crowds." - Ashok Selvam