Marist sets Summer Festival

Hurley worked as the pastor of Old St. Pat’s Roman Catholic Church in the West Loop for over 15 years. He helped turn the parish’s World’s Largest Block Party into a highlight of summer in Chicago.

Hurley was inspired by his past work with the World’s Largest Block Party when he brought the fest to the South Side.

“That was in the back of my head,” said Hurley. “I thought, ‘Why couldn’t we do a block party out here on the South Side or something like that?’”

Over the course of the past few years, the Southside Summer Festival, formerly Southside SummerFest, has grown from 2,500 attendees in the first year to about 3,000 last year.

“We anticipate that it’ll increase in size this year as well,” said Hurley, “because we’ve got a pretty big headliner that we’re showcasing this year.”

The BoDeans will headline the third annual Southside Summer Festival. Open to ages 21 and above, the event features three live bands on the Marist football field.

“The BoDeans are pretty internationally known,” said Hurley. “We thought, ‘Let’s give it a try.’ They said yes, and we’re delighted that they’re coming this year.”

The American rock band formed in Waukesha, Wisc. The band rose to prominence in the 1980s. The band’s sound encompasses multiple rock genres, including roots rock, heartland rock and alternative rock.

Other bands performing at this year’s event include The Push Stars and Soul 2 The Bone, which will kick the night off from 4:30 to 6 p.m., with music from the 1960s to 2015 covering five genres of music, including Motown, R&B, light rock, jazz, contemporary jazz, disco, and pop music.

The Push Stars will take the stage from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., featuring original, alternative pop songs from their six albums. The Boston natives have opened for bands such as Matchbox Twenty, and their songs have been featured in several major motion pictures, including “There’s Something About Mary,” “Me, Myself and Irene” and “Gun Shy.”

The BoDeans will close the event from 8:15 to 10 p.m., with numerous memorable tunes that will have people dancing to favorites such as “You Don’t Get Much”, “Idaho” and “Closer to Free.” Led by Kurt Neumann, the band has performed alongside musical icons and their songs has been featured in numerous TV shows and movies.

Bands will perform on a stage on the west side of the stadium—where the bleachers for visiting fans are normally set up—and entertain guests seated on the field and in the main grandstands.

Chairs are not allowed on the field, and guests are advised to bring blankets to sit on. Beverages and food will be available for purchase.

Hurley, a Morgan Park native, graduated from Marist in 1985. After stepping down as pastor of Old St. Pat’s, he returned to Marist and now works as the vice president of advancement and ministry.

“There were two places in my life that I really loved the most. That was Old St. Pats and Marist,” said Hurley. “When I finished up at Old St. Pat’s, I had the nice opportunity, an invitation by Larry Tucker, to come here.”

Since Hurley was ordained in 1993, he has been coming back to his alma mater to celebrate Mass.

“It’s been a lot of fun; we’ve had a great school year,” he said. “The spirit in the building has just been really terrific. We’re just looking forward to just keep doing good things for Marist.”

Proceeds will go towards support scholarships and financial aid for current and future students of Marist High School.

Tickets are $35 in advance (early bird rate ends Friday, July 19, at 11:55 a.m.), and $40 at the door. Limited VIP tickets will be available for purchase for $150 and include beverages and light food.

Tickets can be purchased beginning May 1 on marist.net or via the “GoFan” app.