Marist High School announced on April 9 that its Southside Summer Festival will return to Mount Greenwood this July, featuring Big Head Todd and the Monsters as the headlining act. The event will take place at Marist Stadium, located at 4030 W. 115th St., with opening performances by Eddie 9V and Back Country Boys before the main show on July 18.
The festival has raised about $500,000 for scholarships and financial aid since it began in 2022, according to Rev. Tom Hurley, vice president of advancement and ministry at Marist. Hurley said, “When you’ve got 60 percent of your students that need some form of financial aid, we have to keep doing everything we can to keep raising money so that we can keep kids in school.”
Hurley is a graduate of Marist’s class of 1985 and previously served as pastor at Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church before returning to his alma mater. He helped launch the summer festival after being inspired by Old St. Pat’s World’s Largest Block Party event but clarified that while there are similarities, this is a unique gathering for the community. “This is not meant to be the World’s Largest Block Party; this is just meant to take the ingredients of a good recipe. You get people together, you get some adult beverages, you get some music. And you get a nice, open space on a summer night,” he said.
The festival welcomes attendees aged 21 and older from across Chicago’s South Side—not just those affiliated with Marist High School—and tickets go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m., priced at $45 through July 17 or $50 at the door. Limited VIP tickets are available for $165 and include beverages and light food.
More than 14,000 people have attended over four years since its start in Mount Greenwood. Past headliners have included Tributosaurus, Freddy Jones Band, BoDeans and Poi Dog Pondering.
Hurley emphasized inclusivity for all community members: “This is not just meant for Marist people. This is Marist hosting this event for anybody and everybody,” he said. “It’s just meant to be a South Side event for anybody who wants to come.”
