Michael Maccioli said he could feel something special happening when he visited Chicago last weekend.

It was the height of the city’s summer festival scene, and neighborhoods were filled with events. There was the Festival of Chariots along the lakeshore, where Hindus dressed in colorful clothing for a parade. A short distance away, the Lakeshore Arts and Music Festival attracted thousands. And in the Northalsted neighborhood, streets were packed for one of the nation’s largest Pride celebrations.