THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – IT’S A CELEBRATION OF PRIDE!
THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – IT’S A CELEBRATION OF PRIDE!
It’s that time again and again it’s a celebration of pride – it’s all about GLBT pride at the following weekend events:
Chicago Pride Fest hosted by and benefitting the Northalsted Business Alliance is taking place on Friday (4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) and Saturday (11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.) at Halsted Street and Waveland Avenue in the Lakeview East neighborhood. Now in its 10th year Pride Fest showcases an eclectic lineup of a variation of foods vendors arts and crafts as well as entertainment on two stages with one being dedicated to some of Chicago’s finest GLBT performers!
On Saturday Pride Fest will also feature at 12:30 p.m. a Pet Pride Parade where everyone is welcome to bring their dogs cats and other animal friends (of course within reason) to this festive parade where a panel of jurors will honor the best participants with gift certificates from local businesses. Then between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. 104.3 K-HITS will be on hand with great giveaways music and games! It’s sure to be a Fun Festive and Jubilant time for all!!
The Chicago 43rd Annual Pride Parade held on Sunday at noon has a new route this year starting off at the corner of Broadway Street and Montrose Avenue proceeding south on Broadway then south on Halsted then east on Belmont then south on Broadway and finally east on Diversey to Cannon Drive to accommodate a crowd estimated in the hundreds of thousands.
This year’s Pride Parade will feature 200 registered entries which include floats a marching band performance groups decorated vehicles and walking contingents. As a side note please keep in mind that alcoholic beverages are illegal on the streets and sidewalks of Chicago and you will be subject to a costly ticket and/or arrest if you choose to ignore this warning!
Not in the mood to celebrate pride? Well here are some alternative weekend celebrations:
Chicago Summer Fest takes place Saturday and Sunday just off of Lake Michigan in the heart of Lincoln Park located at Clark Street and Armitage Avenue. This fest attracts more than 25000 attendees each year with great food and drink live music and a fantastic family area that includes activities for kids of all ages. From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday rock out to Chicago’s greatest hits with 104.3 K-HITS who also will be giving away a variety of prizes and interacting with fun trivia!
The Randolph Street Market Festival returns again this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) to Plumber’s Hall (1350 W. Randolph Street) in the West Loop neighborhood and is home to the world-renowned Chicago Antique Market Indie Designer Market Modern Vintage Chicago and the Holiday Market. As one of Chicago’s most happening monthly festivals the Randolph Street Market has become the summer destination with its European-style indoor-outdoor urban antique market featuring 200 select purveyors of high quality amazing price finds and unlimited creative inspiration for hours of fun!
The Fountain Square Art Festival is the largest and oldest fine arts fair on Chicago’s majestic North Shore located at Church and Sherman in downtown Evanston this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Now in its 33rd year this festival features works of over 225 juried artists food a soothing live jazz-centric music line-up and the ever popular children’s art tent offering art lessons and projects for the kids! Guess who’s back from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday with music prizes and fun music trivia? Its 104.3 K-HITS!!
And finally this Saturday and Sunday brings the Chicago Gospel Music Festival to a new location at Ellis Park (37th and Cottage Grove) in the beautiful Bronzeville neighborhood from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. This year’s festival offers featured performances by Mary Mary Fred Hammond and others as well as a Historic Church Tour on Saturday and a Gospel Brunch on Sunday!
Will You Be Celebrating Your Community Pride?
SUE MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
