THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Topping Off Pride Month & More!
This last weekend in June, not only will we be topping off our Pride Month celebrations, but we’ll also be celebrating the “official” start of the summer season!
It’s all about celebrating Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community when Pride in the Park returns to Grant Park’s Butler Field (South Lake Shore Dr. and East Monroe St.) in The Loop this Saturday (3 p.m.-10 p.m.) for its third festive year. This annual outdoor music festival will feature a non-stop lineup of top national and local music headliners along with an impressive DJ roster who will have everyone dancing. Plus, there will be plenty of fantastic food, artists, merchandise vendors, and more to make this festival the perfect party!
Navy Pier’s annual full-day celebration of LGBTQ+ culture is back with Navy Pier Pride this Saturday (11 a.m.-11 p.m.) in the Streeterville neighborhood (600 E. Grand Ave.). This free event celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and support for the LGBTQ+ community with festivities that include live music, performances from local LGBTQ+ artists, educational programs, on-site resources from community partners, and more!
Boat owners are invited to decorate their boat in Pride Colors and partake this Saturday in Pride Flotilla (weather permitting). A pre-parade circle will begin north of the Playpen at 12:30 p.m. with the parade commencing at 1:00 p.m. and then proceeding North along the coast to Kathy Osterman Beach. Those of us without a boat can soak in the colorful action at either Ohio Street, Oak Street, or North Avenue Beaches!
Celebrating all different kinds of love, Chicago’s Pride Bar Crawl takes place Saturday (12 p.m.-6 p.m.) at some of Wrigleyville’s best bars. As usual, tickets include admission to all participating bars, a free brunch buffet, gift cards to be used on the crawl, giveaways, and more! It’s a party for everyone and not to be missed!!
Last by not least, the Chicago Pride Parade returns to the streets of the Uptown and Lakeview neighborhoods this Sunday. The parade features 150 registered entries which includes floats, performance groups, a marching band, decorated vehicles, and walking contingents. The parade will step off at 12:00 p.m. at the corner of Montrose and Broadway as spectators gather along the parade’s usual route. You may want to stake out your spot early along the route as this parade can attract over one million attendees!
The Logan Square Arts Festival will be kicking off the first official weekend of the summer on Saturday and Sunday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) at 3150 W. Logan Boulevard at Kedzie and Milwaukee Avenues in the Logan Square neighborhood. This event is a celebration of the art, music, and culture reflecting the diversity and vitality of this neighborhood. Once again, stages, tents, and food trucks will spring up around the Illinois Centennial Monument with artists of varying disciplines, a great line-up of music, local craft vendors, food, and beer!
Chicago’s Dragon Boat Race for Literacy takes place this Saturday (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the Ping Tom Memorial Park (300 W. 19th St.) in Chinatown. This event is a family-fun activity featuring a lion dance opening ceremony, dragon boat races, cultural performances, exhibition booths, and kids’ activities promoting Asian culture and helping the neighborhood literacy programs!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
