The 2024 Chicago Pride Parade, which is going to take place on June 30th, from 11 am, might have a shorter route this year, after a previous announcement about the decrease of bands, floats and groups participating compared to 2023.
Reducing the number of cops needed to ensure safety
May 2nd, officials with the Chicago Police Department presented a proposal to shorten the festival’s route in order to be able to ensure safety. The purpose was to reduce the number of police officers needed on site by about 48 posts.
As expected, the reactions from the community were not enthusiastic about the idea.
“We were obviously not thrilled to hear that,” Jin-Soo Huh, chair of the mayor’s LGBTQ+ advisory council, said to Block Club Chicago. “Even though it is only a proposal, our message is that this is a proposal that should have been done in consultation with the community. We’re still calling on the Mayor’s Office to restore the Pride Parade [to its past form].”
The reaction comes after the previous announcement, dating last month, that the 2024 parade will also feature significantly less entries than last year, creating difficulties in selecting who will be accepted.
As reported by Block Club Chicago last month, the 2024 festival will include around 125 bands, floats and groups, down about 37% from last year’s total of 199. So the decrease is substantial, so will be the selection of the right entries, which is not going to be easy, given the smaller size of the event. Organizers will obviously have to be more selective when it comes to participants, which is going to be tough, since, for now, officials have paradoxically announced that all those who were part of the parade last year can return. New LGBTQIA+ -adjacent businesses and groups will be prioritized as entries, although all spots are currently filled. Those interested can add themselves to a wait list by emailing info@pridechicago.org.
Security is important, but keeping the event significant also is
The accepted and proposed changes seem to be directly related to organizational and security-related concerns, but this doesn’t mean they will be taken in without a certain stir across local circles. Protesting should not come as a surprise when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ community, and that of Chicago makes no exception. After all, the first ever Chicago Pride Parade, held over fifty years ago, on June 27, 1970, just one year after the Stonewall riots in New York City, was “more a protest than a parade”, as explained on the Chicago Pride official website. The first iteration of the event only included 150 to 200 participants, who came to the Chicago streets to fight for their rights. Things have since clearly changed for the better, but every attempt to limit the event or decrease its impact on the overall community will be met with strong reactions. Security is important, of course, and ensuring all participants remain safe must be a priority, which is difficult to ensure in case the annual event will continue to grow, a development to be expected.
Facts and recommendations about this year’s event
The Chicago Pride Parade will take place Sunday, June 30th, 2024. The event will begin at 11 a.m. from W. Sheridan and N. Broadway, will continue south along Broadway, then Halsted, east along Belmont to Broadway, then south to Diversey.
Organizers are issuing some useful tips in order to enjoy the festivities, while staying safe and sound. First of all, keep in mind the area along N. Halsted fills in quickly, so arriving early is a must. If you would like to avoid the crowds, it’s typically more open in Uptown where the parade begins.
Drink water and protect your head from the sun
Make sure you stay hydrated, since the weather is usually pretty hot on parade day. Bring plenty of bottled water, sunscreen and a hat or other head covering, and dress lightly so you don’t get overheated. If you bring food, keep in mind it will also stay in the sun, so choose and pack it accordingly.
Don’t panic if you had too much water. There will be portable restrooms located all along the parade route. Accessible restrooms for those who are physically challenged will be set up on the sidewalks around 600 W. Diversey.
Use the public transport
Keep in mind leaving your car at home that day might be the best choice, since parking is basically non existent with street closures, and traffic will be congested. The CTA is best way to get around.
- Red line: Wilson (Just north of the parade’s start point, you can walk back south and avoid the crowded stops), Sheridan (not fully accessible), Addison, Belmont (the most crowded stop!)
- Brown line: Belmont (the most crowded stop!), Wellington, Diversey (near the parade’s end point)
CTA buses may be re-routed on parade day. Visit transitchicago.com for route-planning tools and route updates.
Ride-share apps like Uber or Lyft may be an option, though keep in mind street traffic will likely be congested. Pick a drop-off location several blocks from the parade route and walk over to the parade route. Also, if you do bring your car, keep in mind you will likely have to park it at least a few blocks away and walk the rest of the route.
If you will only stay in the public (preparing for the next great Chicago festivals this year, starting with Lollapalooza), you could bring your dog, lots of people do! But keep in mind that the parade route is crowded, noisy, and full of colorful and glittery distractions. If you have a nervous pup, it would probably be best to leave them safe at home. Keep in mind pets are not allowed in the parade.
