Gay Pride Parade (Chicago, Addison, Irving: wedding, live, buses)

[alixjack]

Hi!

I have lived in Chicago for a little under a year and just moved to East Lakeview [broadway & wellington]. I have heard it gets CRAZY crowded during the Gay Pride Parade. Sounds awesome, except that my 1st wedding anniversary falls on the same day! I was wondering if anyone here could tell me how far out the crowds spread and if you think we'll be able to use the CTA to get out of lakeview that day to have a nice anniversary date.

thanks!

[Carantini]

that parade is definetly the craziest costumes ive seen in my life. i suggest anyone whos never been should go to see the ppl parading. you will never ever forget it for the rest of your life.

the l gets packed, but you wont have to make a line to get in the station like after game nights or the taste or july 3rd etc...
the crowds dont spread much more than the parade coverage, but boystown of course will be completely full. it wont go even to lincoln park much. most of Chicago wont even know it happened, unlike the PR parade in NYC (manhattan and bronx shuts down completely).
congradulations on your anniversary, stay together.

[Jesse69]

I'm going to hit the gay parade with my Blue Hutch Trickstar and Blue "Wolves" cheerleader outfit! Can't wait for the day and I hope it don't rain!

[alixjack]

Originally Posted by carantini

that parade is definetly the craziest costumes ive seen in my life. I suggest anyone whos never been should go to see the ppl parading. You will never ever forget it for the rest of your life.

The l gets packed, but you wont have to make a line to get in the station like after game nights or the taste or july 3rd etc...
The crowds dont spread much more than the parade coverage, but boystown of course will be completely full. It wont go even to lincoln park much. Most of chicago wont even know it happened, unlike the pr parade in nyc (manhattan and bronx shuts down completely).
Congradulations on your anniversary, stay together.

thank you!!!

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by alixjack

Hi!

I have lived in Chicago for a little under a year and just moved to East Lakeview [broadway & wellington]. I have heard it gets CRAZY crowded during the Gay Pride Parade. Sounds awesome, except that my 1st wedding anniversary falls on the same day! I was wondering if anyone here could tell me how far out the crowds spread and if you think we'll be able to use the CTA to get out of lakeview that day to have a nice anniversary date.

thanks!

The Broadway,Halsted buses and maybe (I am not sure) Sheridan bus get re-routed.

The Addison, Belmont and Diversey buses get re-routed as well and are as good as useless unless you catch them from the Red Line. None of them go through to the lake much of the day. You are going to have to walk to the Red Line or catch your buses out near it. The Pride Parade shuts down just about all of E. Lake View from mid morning until mid evening. I suggest leaving the area early in the morning and not coming back until later in the evening.

http://www.prideparadechicago.com/pu...ntent/map.aspx



BTW-There are an insane amount of people (spectators and participants plus residents) from (400,000-500,000) Sheffield to Sheridan and from Fullerton to Irving Park while this parade is going on.

So anyone that tells you there will not be too many people in the area has no clue as to what they are talking about.

[paytonc]

The parade route runs up Halsted from Diversey, then down Broadway to Diversey and into the park. The day-of crowds are pretty manageable south of Diversey, but utter madness to the north. So, if you want a quiet day, get up early (the pride parade doesn't), walk east to Sheridan and then south of Diversey, and go about your business.

However, I will note that the entire weekend is a prime time for parties (even I have been known to end up in Lakeview that weekend) and, as such, the weekend-evening crowds and noise will be extra boisterous. Although you're a bit southeast of the gay-bar focal point, it will definitely spill down Broadway. If you're looking for a quiet, romantic night, consider a quick weekend getaway?

[tb4000]

It's basically gonna be Mardi Gras-level of crowds and people for those several days, so you can gauge what's gonna be up.

[lisakf1]

I lived at Halsted and Cornelia during Pride last year and used the L non-stop that weekend. No worries. There are a ton of people, but you'll still be able to walk through the area

[coldwine]

Oh my god, the pride parade. Best. Day. Ever.






Coldwine loves her gays

[Lookout Kid]

I've had no problems using the "L" during the parade weekend in the past, and I'm just north of ground zero by a few blocks. Buses will be caught in traffic during the parade itself, though. Avengerfire already mentioned the re-routes.