HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (CBS) — The gates officially opened Tuesday at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park — but there are now concerns that the songs and cries of 17 year old crickets can disturb the music.
Crowds are flocking Friday for The Return of Flock with Jerry Goodman on the Carousel Stage – and especially for James Taylor & His All-Star Band this Saturday and Sunday.
“The opening of Ravinia, I think, symbolizes summer in Chicagoland,” said Ravinia President Jeff Haydon.
Ravinia was founded in 1904 as an amusement and entertainment venue by A.C. Frost, operator of the Chicago & Milwaukee Electric Railway. It developed into a location for all kinds of orchestras and music performances – opera, classical and popular.
“We are so excited to open the gates,” Haydon said. “We have been working all year round on this moment to be able to open the gates to everyone for the summer.”
This summer’s concert series is packed. Robert Plant with Alison Krauss, Roger Daltrey, Norah Jones with Mavis Staples, The Roots and Crowded House are among the headliners this year.
But some screaming guests have also arrived in advance – and they haven’t been on the property since 2007. The previous estimate was that they would be gone by the time the season started – but they are still there.
“Ravinia collaborates with nature, and crickets have long been part of the Ravinia soundtrack,” said Haydon. “This year they’ll be a little bit louder, but they’re well matched, so we’re all good with it.”
And while Ravinia says the summer bug isn’t a problem, those who live near the Highland Park location are already sick of it deafening mating sounds.
“Oh yeah, we live right down the street from Ravinia – and the crickets are everywhere,” said Steve Berkowitz, “and they’re really loud.”
Berkowitz considers himself a regular at Ravinia.
“Every year, probably about 10 times a summer,” he said.
Still, Berkowitz might be forced to sit out a few concerts this summer — not because of who’s playing, but because of the bugs he’d have to rock.
“Look, they’re harmless, but they’re really annoying,” Berkowitz said, “and it’s going to be a problem at Ravinia this summer, unfortunately, because Ravinia is fantastic.”
Ravinia said the volume will be turned up to ensure attention stays on the main stage – and not on the crickets.
“We expect hundreds of thousands of people to be able to listen to all different kinds of music,” Haydon said.
And Ravinia is also ready for cicada lovers.
“Our biggest selling item in the festival store is the cicada shirt and the cicada pens, and so it’s like, if you can’t beat ’em, join in,” Haydon said.
