NewsVoicesArts & EntertainmentCrimeEducationHealthLove & SexPeoplePoliticsSports
    OUTPrideOut TravelerPLUSADVOCATE CHANNEL
    Support UsSubscribeSubscriber ServicesEmail Newsletter Signup
    CONTACTAbout UsCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
    © 2025 Equal Entertainment LLC.
    All Rights reserved
    Advocate.comAdvocate.com

    105 Photos of the Friendly Men at Market Days in Chicago

    Brad Balof of Sidetrack
    08/15/18
    Scroll To Top

    By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

    Accept

    This year's theme at Sidetrack for Market Days was “Lead With Love.” Read more below.

    Market Days

    Sidetrack celebrated the 37th annual Northalsted Market Days Chicago with a weekend of parties both out in the street and under the Big Top! Each year, people from the around the world descend on Chicago for the largest street fair in the Midwest -- Market Days. Founded in 1980, the celebration now spans half a mile of North Halsted Street in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood --America's first recognized gay village.

    This year's theme at Sidetrack was "Lead With Love," and the bar transformed into Cirque du Sidetrack, a collection of visually stunning experiences in the massive two-story, eight-bar club.

    The weekend kicked off Friday night with a Cirque du Sidetrack party complete with sexy clowns, face painting, and ringmaster Dixie Lynn Cartwright. Saturday and Sunday, Sidetrack took it to the streets with a set of two-story cirque tents where festivalgoers could grab a beer or Froze, Sidetrack's custom Market Days cocktail.

    Saturday and Sunday entertainment included Dixie, French juggler Cyril Rabbath, RuPaul's Drag Race's Dida Ritz, resident queens Alexis Bevels and Saya Naomi, and sexy "Ball Boys" Michael, Jacob, and Tristan. But, as anyone who has been there can tell you, one of the highlights of Market Days in Chicago is the amazing eye candy that comes from around the world.

    Check out Sidetrack's photo galleries to see all of the fun, or better yet come to Chicago next year on August 10 and 11 for Northalsted Market Days!

    Photos by Jed Dulanas.

    About Sidetrack:
    Sidetrack, Chicago's original video bar, has been welcoming the community and the world for more than 35 years with a unique video mix of pop, rock, comedy, show tunes, and retro favorites. Sidetrack is 21+ w/valid ID. More information at SidetrackChicago.com. Follow Sidetrack on Facebook here for specials and events.

    close button
    PhotographyChicagoSlideshow

    More Galleries

    MTG leaving meeting in sunglasses making a frowning face
    Politics
    Badge
    gallery

    21 times Marjorie Taylor Greene was the worst

    November 30 2025 2:14 PM
    True
    ​A Nice Indian Boy; Red, White & Royal Blue; The Wedding Banquet 2025
    film

    12 movies to watch if you loved ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’

    October 27 2025 6:02 PM
    LGBTQ+ History Month: 33 queer movies to watch on streaming
    Arts & Entertainment

    LGBTQ+ History Month: 33 queer movies to watch on streaming

    October 02 2025 9:02 AM
    The incomparable Lady Bunny and her unnamed date
    Drag

    Drag Me to the Catskills: A weekend of camp and comedy in the woods

    May 29 2025 8:30 PM
    Boys! Boys! Boys! podcast: A new voice in queer culture
    Art

    Boys! Boys! Boys! podcast: A new voice in queer culture

    May 01 2025 5:03 PM
    Cobblestones, castles, and culture: Your LGBTQ+ guide to Edinburgh
    Travel

    Cobblestones, castles, and culture: Your LGBTQ+ guide to Edinburgh

    April 30 2025 12:44 PM

    Brad Balof of Sidetrack

    Read Full Bio