Happy Pride/new route

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Ace Rothstein

Officer, Others Injured In Brawl Long After Pride Parade « CBS Chicago

Ok thanks. I thought something bad. Fights are no surprise.

[Ace Rothstein]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Ok thanks. I thought something bad. Fights are no surprise.

I just don't like seeing that. There were 850,000 people there for the parade and everything was ok with that many people in a fairly small area. Then a few jerks have to start **** later on that night and the media leads with the story about it afterwards.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Ace Rothstein

I just don't like seeing that. There were 850,000 people there for the parade and everything was ok with that many people in a fairly small area. Then a few jerks have to start **** later on that night and the media leads with the story about it afterwards.

I agree, but some fights breaking out after several hours of heat and drinking unfortunately are to be expected.

[Chicago60614]

The fights and attacks were pretty late at night (mostly after midnight), mostly around the Belmont Red Line station.

I walked up Halsted around 10:30pm and it was really packed. Totally different crowd from what you'd see in that area normally.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by long101

I forgot the parade was this weekend, and attempted to drive and get some takeout. Well I spent almost 2 hours stuck in traffic and didnt get my burger . Why dont they they host this in the loop or some place people dont go on the weekends?

I hate Loop parades. I can't even remember the last time I went to the Loop to see a parade. No character, no local flavor, zero interest in them.

I don't feel at all sorry for someone who ordered a hamburger and drove to get it in Chicago. I mean, seriously? One of the biggest annual parades in Chicago (might be the biggest now), that has close ties to the neighborhood, and was in the press and with notices in the train stations and such and you somehow missed all that? Complaining that it interrupted your hamburger run and thus should be moved away from you is to say you don't care about the community you chose to live in and want to see it lose one of its cherished events.

[Aleking]

Originally Posted by emathias

I hate Loop parades. I can't even remember the last time I went to the Loop to see a parade. No character, no local flavor, zero interest in them.

I don't feel at all sorry for someone who ordered a hamburger and drove to get it in Chicago. I mean, seriously? One of the biggest annual parades in Chicago (might be the biggest now), that has close ties to the neighborhood, and was in the press and with notices in the train stations and such and you somehow missed all that? Complaining that it interrupted your hamburger run and thus should be moved away from you is to say you don't care about the community you chose to live in and want to see it lose one of its cherished events.

yep, move to Naperville would have sufficed

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

The fights and attacks were pretty late at night (mostly after midnight), mostly around the Belmont Red Line station.

I walked up Halsted around 10:30pm and it was really packed. Totally different crowd from what you'd see in that area normally.

How was the crowd different?

[gomexico]

Originally Posted by Swandaddy

Happy Pride Chicago! Attendance count this year I heard at the parade was 850,000. Thoughts on the new route? Good, bad, both? As always, good times!

I hadn't gone to watch that particular parade for at least the past 5 or 6 years. It certainly has changed a lot. Very "main street" in terms of who's participating. One big advertisement for companies courting gay customers - and what seemed to me to be a large straight contingent on the sidelines.

I watched from 1/2 block S. of the starting point at Montrose Ave. On the west side of the street, opposite, almost opposite the Salvation Army resale shop on Broadway. I thought some obxoxious straight-appearing young people were troublesome in that they were jumping up and down, arms flailing and hitting people next to them and nearby, shouting at the top of their lungs ... hoping to be thrown some beeds, product samples, etc. They almost ruined the viewing experience, for me. A couple of lesbians with children who were on one side of me had enough and moved away in disgust. If people like those girls are the reason why the crowd attendance is getting so large, I don't think that's a plus for the parade or the gay/lesbian, etc., communities.

My 2 cents worth.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by emathias

I hate Loop parades. I can't even remember the last time I went to the Loop to see a parade. No character, no local flavor, zero interest in them.

I don't feel at all sorry for someone who ordered a hamburger and drove to get it in Chicago. I mean, seriously? One of the biggest annual parades in Chicago (might be the biggest now), that has close ties to the neighborhood, and was in the press and with notices in the train stations and such and you somehow missed all that? Complaining that it interrupted your hamburger run and thus should be moved away from you is to say you don't care about the community you chose to live in and want to see it lose one of its cherished events.

I was wondering that as well, since it's gotten up to 850,000 people now. It must be one of the biggest parades in the city. Probably one of the largest single-day events.