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In other cities, nonprofit organizations or event management companies run similar festivals. But when Chicago asked for private bids in 2010, just one company offered a plan. Taste also faces competition from numerous other Chicago festivals, ranging from neighborhood events to big music festivals such as Lollapalooza, which is funded and produced by a private company. Gatziolis declined to comment on the possibility of the city handing the reins to someone else, adding that the city works hard to preserve the free admission and low prices. Charging admission might make Chicago's event safer, some festival-goers said. In 2008, one person was killed and three people were injured during a shooting after the July 3 fireworks show. Though crowds might be smaller, they would be easier to manage. "I would pay a small one, like $5 or $10 maybe," said Scott Reierstad, a 34-year-old from Rolling Meadows. Funding for Pig Out in the Park, a comparable festival in Spokane, Wash., comes from sponsorships, restaurant booth fees and commission on restaurant profits, but not from the city, said Bill Burke, who owns Burke Marketing and founded the event 33 years ago. The festival has grown about 5 percent every year, and saw about 95,000 visitors last summer. Other food festivals are more upscale. Los Angeles, Austin and Atlanta hosted inaugural food and wine festivals in 2011 and 2012. Admission ranges from $75 to more than $1,000, but includes free food and wine tasting, classes, seminars and celebrity chefs. David Bernahl, co-founder of the Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival, lived in Chicago for most of his childhood. He remembers Taste fondly but said organizers should consider a partnership with a full-time events management company or nonprofit organization. "Taste is the same as it's been for a really long time," Bernahl said. "Sometimes it takes a risk, which is very difficult for government agencies."
[Associated
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