Taste of Chicago draws more than 3.5 million

Despite high fuel prices, the sagging economy and a rash of shootings, organizers say this year's Taste of Chicago drew more than 3.5 million visitors.

The 10-day food festival in downtown Grant Park wrapped up its 27th run Sunday.

Cindy Gatziolis, a spokeswoman for the Mayor's Office of Special Events, says festival-goers did not seem deterred by reports of violence near the event over the holiday weekend, noting that Friday and Saturday were among the event's busiest days.

Five people were shot -- one fatally -- over the weekend near the festival grounds. The latest was a 22-year-old man wounded early Saturday morning.

Four others were struck by gunfire in the Loop on Thursday after the city's fireworks display. One 19-year-old suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head.