Chicago Pride Parade
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(June 2023) |
| Chicago Pride Parade | |
|---|---|
 The Chicago Pride Parade 2006, onHalsted Streetat Brompton Avenue | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Pride parade |
| Location(s) | Chicago |
| Country | USA |
| Inaugurated | June 27, 1970 |
| Participants | 15,000 |
| Attendance | +1 million |
| Organized by | PRIDEChicago |
| Website | pridechicago |
TheChicago Pride Parade,also colloquially (and formerly) called theChicago Gay Pride ParadeorPRIDE Chicago,is an annualpride paradeheld on the last Sunday of June inChicago,Illinoisin theUnited States.It is considered a culmination of the largerGay and Lesbian Pride Monthin Chicago, as promulgated by theChicago City CouncilandMayor of Chicago.Chicago's Pride Parade is one of the largest by attendance in the world.[1]The event takes place outside and celebrates equal rights forlesbian,gay,bisexual,transgenderandqueerpeople, which is also known as the celebration ofLGBTQrights.
Background
[edit]
The first parade was organized on Saturday, June 27, 1970, as a march[2]fromWashington Square Park( "Bughouse Square" ) to theWater Tower,but then many of the participants spontaneously marched on to theCivic Center Plaza.[3]For many years, the parade was held only inLake View East,a neighborhood enclave of theLakeviewcommunity area.Recent parades have expanded their outreach (and ability to handle crowds) by extending the route into theUptownneighborhood, beginning at the corner of Broadway and Montrose. The parade then proceeds south on Broadway to Halsted, continues south on Halsted to Belmont, then east on Belmont to Broadway and finally south again on Broadway to Cannon Drive andLincoln Park.
With the increasing political participation ofgay,lesbian,bisexualandtransgenderAmericans and the community's relatively high financial resources through political action groups and as individual donors, Illinois politicians have increased their presence at the Chicago Pride Parade. Both the IllinoisDemocraticandRepublicanparties have been heavily represented, including by formerGovernorRod Blagojevich,a Democrat, and formerTreasurerJudy Baar Topinka,a Republican. Both had strong support from many gay and lesbian voters.
On June 28, 2009, more than 500,000 spectators watched the40th Annual Chicago Pride Parade.Among the entries were severalmarching bands,dance troupes, twirlers, and many political figures. The 2010 parade featured an appearance from theChicago Blackhawks'Brent Sopeland theStanley Cup[4]as part of the Chicago Gay Hockey Association's float. Sopel appeared in the parade to honorBrendan Burke,the gay son of the Maple Leafs' GMBrian Burke.Due to Chicago being one of the largest cities with a massive sports community, some other special guests have attended the Gay Pride Parade in Chicago, those includeDavid Kopay(NFL running back),Billy Bean(major league outfielder) andGreg Louganis(Olympic diver).[5]
The 2011 parade included 250 entries and was attended by over 800,000 spectators, almost double the previous year, causing massive overcrowding and resulted in a reorganization of the parade route for the 2012 parade. Starting in 2013 the Chicago Pride Parade had reached over one million people each year, and the number continues to grow.[6]
In October 2019, Richard Pfeiffer, director of the Parade since 1974, passed away.[7]
The parade was cancelled in 2020 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.The 2021 parade was postponed to October 3, 2021, in the hopes that an in-person parade could be held. Due to theDelta variant,the 2021 parade was cancelled. The 2022 pride parade continued with its original scheduling under the direction of Pfeiffer’s husband, Tim Frye.[8]
The 2024 parade marched with a new start time, shorter route and 150 entries as the city sought to lessen its strain on various Chicago departments during a busy summer packed with other large-scale events, including theDemocratic National Convention.[9]
Pre-Parade Celebration
[edit]The year 2019 marked the 19th Annual Pre-Parade Celebration, also known as Chicago's two day longPride Festival.[10]2019's Chicago Pride Festival saw over 100,000 people, the festival is held on the Saturday and Sunday before the Pride Parade.[10]Each year there is a suggested ten dollar donation while entering the festival for LGBTQ fundraisers, events, etc. The festival is open rain or shine and held inBoystown,a neighborhood ofLake View, Chicago.The streets are blocked off from traffic so the celebration can take place throughout the streets all weekend long. Each year there are multiple different performers performing on the three main stages at the festival. Some of 2021's performers includedBetty Who,LeAnn Rimes,Pabllo Vittar,Alex NewellandInaya Day.[10]The Pre-Parade Celebration is just one of the many events held inBoystownin the month of June.
Dates and Attendance
[edit]| Edition | Date | Attendance | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | June 28, 1970 | 150–200 | [11] |
| 2nd | June 27, 1971 | 1,000 | [11] |
| 3rd | June 25, 1972 | 1,000-1,500 | |
| 4th | June 24, 1973 | 1,000-2,000 | |
| 5th | June 30, 1974 | 2,000 | |
| 6th | June 29, 1975 | 2,000-3,000 | |
| 7th | June 27, 1976 | 3,000 | |
| 8th | June 26, 1977 | 3,000 | [11] |
| 9th | June 25, 1978 | 10,000 | |
| 10th | June 24, 1979 | 10,000 | |
| 11th | June 29, 1980 | 10,000 | |
| 12th | June 28, 1981 | 20,000 | |
| 13th | June 27, 1982 | 30,000 | [11] |
| 14th | June 26, 1983 | 30,000 | |
| 15th | June 24, 1984 | 30,000+ | |
| 16th | June 30, 1985 | 35,000 | |
| 17th | June 29, 1986 | 40,000 | |
| 18th | June 28, 1987 | 40,000+ | |
| 19th | June 26, 1988 | 50,000 | |
| 20th | June 25, 1989 | 60,000+ | [12] |
| 21st | June 24, 1990 | 100,000 | [11] |
| 22nd | June 30, 1991 | 100,000+ | |
| 23rd | June 28, 1992 | 115,000 | |
| 24th | June 27, 1993 | 140,000 | |
| 25th | June 5, 1994 | 160,000 | [11] |
| 26th | June 25, 1995 | 175,000 | |
| 27th | June 30, 1996 | 150,000 | |
| 28th | June 29, 1997 | 200,000 | |
| 29th | June 28, 1998 | 200,000+ | |
| 30th | June 27, 1999 | 250,000 | |
| 31st | June 25, 2000 | 350,000 | |
| 32nd | June 24, 2001 | 350,000 | |
| 33rd | June 30, 2002 | 350,000 | |
| 34th | June 29, 2003 | 375,000 | [13] |
| 35th | June 27, 2004 | 375,000 | [14] |
| 36th | June 26, 2005 | 450,000 | [15] |
| 37th | June 25, 2006 | 400,000 | [16] |
| 38th | June 24, 2007 | 450,000 | [17] |
| 39th | June 29, 2008 | 450,000 | [18] |
| 40th | June 28, 2009 | 500,000 | |
| 41st | June 27, 2010 | 450,000 | [19][20] |
| 42nd | June 26, 2011 | 750,000 | [21] |
| 43rd | June 24, 2012 | 850,000 | [22] |
| 44th | June 30, 2013 | 1,000,000 | [23][24] |
| 45th | June 29, 2014 | 1,000,000+ | [25] |
| 46th | June 28, 2015 | 1,000,000+ | [26] |
| 47th | June 26, 2016 | 1,000,000+ | [27] |
| 48th | June 25, 2017 | 1,000,000+ | [28] |
| 49th | June 24, 2018 | 1,000,000+ | [29][30] |
| 50th | June 30, 2019 | 1,000,000+ | [31] |
| 51st | June 28, 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | |
| October 3, 2021 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| June 26, 2022 | 1,000,000+ | ||
| 52nd | June 25, 2023 | 1,000,000+ | |
| 53rd | June 30, 2024 | 1,000,000+ | [32] |
Grand Marshals
[edit]| Edition | Date | Grand Marshal | Theme | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35th | June 27, 2004 | Esera Tuaolo | - | [33] |
| 53rd | June 30, 2024 | Fortune Feimster | Pride is Power | [34] |
Weather
[edit]The Chicago Pride Parade is held on the last Sunday in June, so the weather is usually warm. The average high temperature atO'Hare Airportfor the parade day since 1970 is 83 degrees; the average low is 61 degrees; and 22% of parade days have seen measurableprecipitation.The warmest pride parade was 99 degrees in 1983, and the wettest pride parade was in 1978 when 0.92 inches of rain fell.[35]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^"12 Biggest Pride Parades In The World".Grunge.June 2, 2022.RetrievedJune 4,2023.
- ^"Gay Liberation Stages March to Civic Center".Chicago Tribune.June 28, 1970. p. A3.RetrievedJune 9,2019– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Outspoken: Chicago's Free Speech Tradition".Newberry Library. Archived fromthe originalon February 17, 2005.RetrievedSeptember 7,2008.
- ^Littke, Jim (June 25, 2010)."Sports' Most Macho Trophy Shows New Kind of Pride".National Hockey League.Associated Press.RetrievedApril 24,2017.
- ^Greenfield, Beth (May 25, 2007)."A Month of Coming-Out Parties (Published 2007)".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedFebruary 18,2021.
- ^"The World's Biggest Pride Parades".The Active Times.June 4, 2018.
- ^"Richard Pfeiffer, coordinator of Chicago Pride Parade since 1974, dies at 70".ABC7 Chicago.October 8, 2019.
- ^"Photos: 2022 Chicago Pride Parade".GoPride.June 26, 2022.RetrievedMay 24,2023.
- ^Wittich, Jake (June 30, 2024)."Chicago Pride Parade sees massive celebration regardless of shorter route, entry cap".Windy City Times.Windy City Times.RetrievedJuly 1,2024.
- ^abc"Chicago Pride Fest 2019 - Pre Parade Celebration".Chicago Pride Fest.RetrievedJune 27,2019.
- ^abcdefde la Croix, Sukie (November 26, 2009)."Gay Power: A History of Chicago Pride".Chicago Free Press.Archived fromthe originalon December 8, 2009.
- ^Rotenberk, Lori (June 26, 1989). "Daley is first mayor to lead gays' parade".Chicago Sun-Times.[page needed]
- ^Baim, Tracy (July 2, 2003)."375,000+ at 2003 Pride Parade".Windy City Times.
- ^Wayne, Kevin (June 28, 2004)."Gay Chicago Celebrates Pride".ChicagoPride.com.Archived fromthe originalon July 16, 2007.
- ^Wayne, Kevin (June 27, 2005)."Chicago Celebrates 36th Annual Gay Pride Parade".ChicagoPride.com.Archived fromthe originalon June 29, 2006.
- ^"Chicago Sun-Times".Archived fromthe originalon July 4, 2008.RetrievedJune 27,2006.
- ^"Chicago Tribune news | Registration".Chicago Tribune.Archived fromthe originalon June 28, 2007.RetrievedJune 25,2007.
- ^"Archived copy".Archived fromthe originalon April 15, 2009.RetrievedJune 30,2008.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^"450,000 on hand for diverse mix of stars in Pride Parade".Chicago Sun-Times.Archived fromthe originalon July 1, 2010.RetrievedJune 29,2010.
- ^"Chicago Annual Pride Parade".PRIDEChicago. 2010. Archived fromthe originalon July 5, 2010.
- ^"Pride Parade 2011".Chicago Tribune.Archived fromthe originalon June 29, 2011.
- ^Hinkel, Dan (June 24, 2012)."Expanded Pride Parade Draws Record Number".Chicago Tribune.
- ^Toner, Casey."1 Million Celebrate at Pride Parade".Chicago Sun-Times.Archived fromthe originalon July 14, 2014.
- ^"Chicago's 44th Annual Gay Pride Parade (6/30/13)".ChicagoPride.com.Archived fromthe originalon June 16, 2013.
- ^Bauer, Kelly & Parker, Alex (June 29, 2014)."Pride Parade 2014: 'You're Not Just a Second-Class Citizen'".DNAinfo.Archived fromthe originalon June 27, 2015.
- ^"Estimated 1 Million People Attend Chicago Pride Parade on City's North Side".ABC7 Chicago.Chicago:WLS-TV.June 29, 2015.
- ^Berman, Melissa (June 27, 2016)."Chicago Pride Parade Draws an Estimated 1 Million People".Chicago:WGN-TV.
- ^Cauguiran, Cate (June 26, 2017)."48th Annual Chicago Pride Parade Held on North Side".ABC7 Chicago.Chicago: WLS-TV.
- ^"Grand Marshal announced for Chicago's 49th Pride Parade".Go Pride.May 18, 2018.
- ^Ross, Jeremy (June 24, 2018)."Big Crowds Packed Chicago Pride Parade".CBS Chicago.Chicago:WBBM-TV.
- ^"Lightfoot Named Honorary Grand Marshal of 2019 Chicago Pride Parade".ChicagoPride.com.RetrievedMay 29,2019.
- ^"53rd annual Chicago Pride Parade brings over 1M people to North Side Sunday".WGN TV.RetrievedJune 30,2024.
- ^"Esera Tuaolo at Chicago Pride".Windy City Times.RetrievedJune 30,2024.
- ^"Fortune Feimster And Jax Smith Will Grand Marshal Chicago's 2024 Pride Parade".Block Club Chicago.RetrievedJune 30,2024.
- ^June Daily Weather Records for Chicago Illinois
External links
[edit]- PRIDEChicago.org— parade's official website
- Northalsted.com- festival’s official website
- chicagopride.gopride.com— news and information about the parade and festival weekend, entries and performers
