I found this historic 1960's era photo from Chicago's annual "Back of the yards" neighborhood "Free Fare" carnival on the internet today. This photo appears courtessy of the Chicago Tribune newspaper.

I was born in the city of Chicago Illinois in the year of 1962, and I grew up on the near southwest side of Chicago during the1960's, 70's and 80's era.

When I was a little boy during the 1960's, My family actually paid a few Summertime visits to the annual Chicago Free Fare carnival at West 47th Street and South Damen Avenue, in Chicago's Back Of The Yards neighborhood.

As I seem to recall...the fairgrounds were held on a vacant piece of land with a local Baseball field across the street from a neighborhood Tavern establishment.

This was a fun carnival to attend, during "Less Expensive" economic times in Chicago.

In this photo, several Roman Catholic Nuns from a local neighborhood church parish, are out enjoying a spin on the Bumper Car ride at the festival.

I believe that this festival was held at this location, until it eventually stopped during the early 1970's era. The field sat dormant except for local neighborhood baseball teams using the playing field.

Around 1982, the fare was revived for a year or two, and renamed "The Back Of The Yards Fare". It was now no longer a Free Fare, but rather one that was surrounded by temporary snow fencing, and an expensive admission price was charged to enter the fairgrounds.

By the mid 1980's, this property was redeveloped in to an outdoor retail strip mall.

Thanks.
Eddie K.