Even though RaviniaTV on YouTube kept the concert community connected during last summer’s devastating drought of in-person events due to the pandemic, there’s absolutely no comparison to the real deal.

That feeling was more than palpable as the gates finally opened, though rather than a traditional show, the Highland Park venue’s Chicago Festival offered a salute to essential, frontline and healthcare workers who bravely combatted the previously uncharted territory of COVID-19.

The audience of invited guests may have been socially distanced, as will be the case for the front half of the season, prior to expanding to full capacity for the back portion, but that didn’t stop them from being entertained.

In addition to the Chicago Jazz Orchestra Sextet setting up in the ingeniously revamped carousel, there were roving performances from the South Shore Drill Team and alternative rock-themed marching band Mucca Pazza, who boldly reemerged on the pavilion stage after an introduction from newly appointed Ravinia Festival President and CEO Jeffrey P. Haydon.

As for headliners The Ides Of March featuring Jim Peterik, the local legends who once served as tour support for Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin couldn’t have been more appreciative of those who put their lives on the line with the “Eye Of The Tiger,” to quote the leader’s other former band Survivor.

But before getting to that “Rocky” soundtrack smash, the eight-piece band had over 55 years of horn-heavy history to navigate, including the 2019 release “Play On,” all the way back to the more than million-selling “Vehicle,” beefed up with Mucca Pazza for the foot-stomping grand finale.

In between, there were tons more tunes from the Ides (“Live Life,” “L.A. Goodbye”) and Survivor (“High On You,” “The Search Is Over”), plus a few Peterik had a hand in writing for others, such as the .38 Special medley comprised of “Caught Up In You,” “Hold On Loosely” and “Rockin’ Into The Night.”

However, it wasn’t so much the songs, as popular as they remain, compared to the spirit of this emotional kick-off, which didn’t only signal another start to the summer concert season, but gave a beacon of hope that the pandemic has finally taken a turn for the better thanks to widespread vaccine availability.

On that note, those heading to the extra sanitized Ravinia will need to attest to their general health before purchasing tickets digitally, masks are recommended for the unvaccinated and anyone in high-traffic areas, while they are required on the train and shuttle buses as per federal law.

The lawn is also divided by general admission on the north end and reserved, pod-styled squares on the south side, which now includes a state-of-the-art video screen at the front.

Other than that, it’s business as usual at this picturesque spot for a picnic that boasts the unique distinction of programming pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop, country and classical, Broadway and practically everything in between for America’s longest-running seasonal music tradition.

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For additional information on The Ides Of March, visit TheIdesOfMarch.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Ravinia include Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter (Jul. 13); Classic Albums Live: “Led Zeppelin IV” (Jul. 24); Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring Branford Marsalis (Jul. 25); Brian McKnight (Jul. 30); Yacht Rock Revue (Jul. 31); Michael Feinstein and Betty Buckley (Aug. 1); Brett Dennen (Aug. 4); Judy Collins and Madeleine Peyroux (Aug. 10) and Willie Nelson & Family (Aug. 14). Tickets for shows from August 18 onward go on sale for the general public starting July 21. For additional details, visit Ravinia.org.