Jane Byrne put me in show biz
My “Backstage with Ron Onesti” column regularly features my behind-the-scenes perspective on show biz celebrities. Even though what I do tends to pique the interest of politicians, I generally do not include them in my reports (although their escapades are generally as entertaining). But the recent passing of former Chicago Mayorette Jane Byrne warrants a special salute this week.
It is 1980 … I am 18 years old and Jane Byrne had recently defeated Mayor Michael Bilandic for the top spot at City Hall. One of her intentions was to ironically squash a Bilandic bash known as “Chicagofest” (ironic because she ultimately championed the event). After a public uprising from politically connected food vendors and a slew of union officials who fought for their cash cow on-a-spit, she embraced the concept. So much so that Byrne instructed her Department of Special Events to create neighborhood festivals based on the same concept, but on a much smaller scale.
The first one she did was on the North side. It was Polish Fest at Hanson Park on Fullerton and Central avenues. I was a senior at Weber High School just around the corner from the park, so I wanted to check it out. It was a one-day free event on a Saturday.
A buddy and I attended the outdoor party. We couldn't believe the people! Thousands of happy sausage and sauerkraut eaters were buying food and singing along with the “Polish Prince” himself, Bobby Vinton. The combination of blue-eyed blondes and pierogi (Polish meat-filled dumpling cousins of ravioli) was almost too much for me to handle. Was this what Heaven was like (plus Sinatra music)?
Then I saw a poster promoting the next neighborhood festival. It was an Italian Fest at Riis Park, just up the street. I was all over this! Wait a second … Tony Bennett is headlining? Are you kidding me? Sign me and my meatballs up!
The fest was only two weeks away so I had to work fast. Turns out, my aunt's office was next door to the office of the Italian-American organization working with the city on this festival. My aunt was able, Chicago style, to get me a spot in the festival. A pan of her homemade lasagna and small donation to the organization later, I was in — quicker than a Chicago precinct captain dropping off turkeys at Christmas.
All the good stuff was already spoken for though … pasta, sausage, pizza, Italian ice. So I settled for frozen bananas hand-dipped in chocolate. Not very Italian, but I didn't care. I had to be a part of this!
Don't forget, this was a time before health department rules and city inspector guidelines. I peeled, Popsicle-sticked and packed bananas, eliciting help from anyone who had a freezer. I showed up with my folding card table, a kitchen crock pot to warm the chocolate, and a Macanudo cigar box to hold the cash. I was in business!
For eight solid hours I dipped and served, dipped and served. I literally filled up Hefty bags, $2 at a time. I hit the lottery, even though it didn't exist yet. I was ready to quit school and buy stock in the Chiquita Co.
So I got into the Feast at Ford City Mall, a large food festival on the South Side by Midway Airport two weeks later. I rented three trucks, a storefront on 61st and Cicero and about a dozen reach-in freezers. I hired two dozen local teens to man my assembly line. I went to the Royal Crown Co. and secured a couple hundred of those brown cardboard boxes that held the cases of RC Cola cans. It was Ronnie Wonka and the Banana Factory! Bring on the Banana Republic; I was ready to make my college money!
Well, it rained for four straight days and my “heaven” turned into the Bananamityville Horror. That was 35 years ago … and I am still bringing some of my inventory to summer parties.
Then the Chicago Department of Consumer Services, where Byrne served as commissioner before she was elected mayor (this was where I first met her) began allowing New York-style street vendor carts on State Street. I was attending DePaul University's downtown campus so I was down there every day. I thought this would be a great thing to be a part of. Another Jane Byrne administration opportunity!
Another campaign contribution via a Chicago Park District big-shot friend of mine later, and “Ronnie's on State” Mini-Donut Shoppe was born. I would open early in the morning on the corner of State and Lake streets, go to school during the day, then reopen in time for the after-work rush. Six mini-doughnuts and a small coffee for a buck … got me through freshman year at DePaul's College of Commerce!
Jane Byrne started the Taste of Chicago and brought back farmer's markets to the city. I kept on going with the festivals, helping to put on Chicago's big Italian Festival at the old, to-be-condemned, Navy Pier. I have always loved the combination of food, beverage and music … and today, Onesti Entertainment is one of the biggest concert, festival and corporate event producers in the Midwest, thanks to my early exposure to the hospitality and entertainment industry, courtesy of the short-lived Mayor Jane Byrne regime.
So I say so long to that feisty, 5-foot 3-inch one-termer. The jury is out on her performance as mayor of the city of Chicago, but as for me, I am grateful she loved to party. I did try and talk her into “Bananafest,” but she didn't bite. Not even a substantial campaign contribution could help me with my “inventory” problem. Man, I miss those simpler days of the Chicago “machine.”
• Ron Onesti is president and CEO of The Onesti Entertainment Corp. and The Historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. Celebrity questions and comments? Email ron@oshows.com.