Chicago’s Northalsted Market Days got a major dose of playful chaos this year, thanks to Sniffies. The queer hookup app didn’t just show up, they staged a full-on street takeover. Limited-edition merch drops kept the crowds circling, while their “Sniffies on the Street” interviews delivered plenty of eyebrow-raising entertainment.
Front and center was Micah Eames, the app’s first-ever Twink of Staff. Equal parts emcee and mischief-maker, Micah manned the booth, worked the crowd, and coaxed festival-goers into sharing their most scandalous cruising stories. His unofficial job description? “Be the hole you wish to fill in the job market.”
Fans of Sniffies’ social content might have caught Micah’s after-hours tour of the company’s headquarters on Instagram, but in Chicago, the energy was all about the festival streets, equal parts fashion show, meet-and-greet, and confessional booth.
A Festival With Deep Roots
Northalsted Market Days started in 1982 as a neighborhood street fair showcasing what was then known as Boystown. Over the decades, it’s grown into one of the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ+ events, attracting tens of thousands from all walks of life.
While the festival has expanded far beyond its early footprint, it still delivers the essentials: local vendors, endless food stalls, and an eclectic music lineup. This year’s 45th anniversary featured acts ranging from the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus and Too Much Molly Band to headliners like Keke Palmer and American Idol alum David Archuleta.
Sniffies Steals the Spotlight
Even in a weekend packed with performances, Sniffies had no trouble drawing attention. The booth became a hub for festival-goers looking for a laugh, a limited-run T-shirt, or a chance to land in one of the app’s cheeky Instagram clips.
By the end of the weekend, Sniffies had done more than hand out merch, they’d solidified themselves as a crowd favorite and a perfect match for the unapologetic energy of Market Days.
Whether you came for the music, the street food, or the people-watching, one thing was certain: Sniffies understood the assignment.
