DATE: Sunday, June 24. TIME: 12 Noon. STARTING POINT: Broadway & Montrose.
MAP WITH KEY here: www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/2018PPmap.pdf .
LINE UP: North Broadway ( both the east and the west curb lanes, from Montrose to Wilson ); West Montrose ( both the north and south curb lanes from Broadway to Clark ); Sunnyside Ave. from Broadway to North Sheridan Rd. and North Sheridan Rd., between Montrose and Wilson.
ROUTE: Step off from the Broadway/Montrose corner, proceeding south on Broadway; then south on Halsted; then east on Belmont; then south on Broadway; then east on Diversey to Cannon Drive.
CONTENT & DESCRIPTION: The parade will feature 150 registered entries, including floats, decorated vehicles, performance groups, a marching band and walking contingents.
The entries represent community organizations, businesses, governmental officials and individual community members. Crowd estimates each year are in the hundreds of thousands. So the plans are to line the parade route with barricades on both sides of the street from beginning to the end of the parade route. Spectators will be required to remain behind the barricades. ( Only parade registrants traveling down the middle of the street, police officers, other city officials, security staff, parade marshals and credentialed media reps will be allowed in the street ). In recent years, the City of Chicago has required that several large city parades, including the Pride Parade, line their parade routes with barricades at our own expense. Police officers and parade marshals will be stationed at various points on the street in front of the barricades along the parade route.
Police officers will also be in the area surrounding the parade. In addition, PRIDEChicago ( parade coordinators ) are providing a security team to supplement the police presence along and surrounding the parade route.
$1000 Fine FOR PUBLIC ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION: The parade will have more security and a tighter rein on public alcohol consumption. In addition to the large number of police officers who staff the event, PRIDEChicago ( parade coordinators ) are providing a security team to supplement the police presence. Penalties include, but are not limited to, $1000+ tickets being issued and/or the immediate disposal of open containers of alcohol into trash receptacles.
Public urination is also grounds to receive a ticket.
PARADE DAY HEALTH/SAFETY: Bring plenty of bottled water, sunscreen and a hat or other head covering, and dress lightly because parade day is usually hot and sunny.
STREET CLOSURES: ( on parade day, Sunday, June 24 ) include:
ASSEMBLY AREA: Tentative time: 10:30 a.m.
PARADE ROUTE: Rolling closing times. Cross streets will close as the parade travels south down the route. The parade starts at 12 noon at the Broadway/Montrose corner proceeding south on Broadway; then south on Halsted; then east on Belmont; then south on Broadway; then east on Diversey to Cannon Drive.
NO PARKING: Both the Assembly Area and Parade Route ( listed above ) will be posted with temporary signs indicating "NO PARKING ON SUNDAY JUNE 24, 2018, FROM 5:00 am TO 8:00 pm. - Both sides of the street, unless otherwise indicated." Due to the volume of vehicles involved, the issuing of parking violation, citations, and towing will start at 5 a.m. promptly.
For updates and corrections; www.ChicagoPrideCalendar.org .
Montrose Ave. - Greenview Ave. to Hazel St.
Broadway - Leland Ave. to Grace St.
Sunnyside Ave. - Broadway to North Sheridan Rd.
Halsted St.* - Grace St. to to Belmont Ave.
Belmont Ave. - Racine Ave. to Broadway St.
Broadway - Melrose Ave. to Diversey Pkwy.
Diversey Pkwy. - Broadway to Cannon Dr. ( Sheridan )
Cannon Dr. - Diversey Pkwy. to Fullerton Pkwy.
Addison St. - 736 W. Addison St. to Sheffield Ave.
Waveland Ave. - Halsted St. to Broadway St.
Grace St. - Halsted St. to Fremont St.
Clifton - Montrose Ave. to Sunnyside Ave.
N. Sheridan Rd. - Sunnyside Ave. to Buena Ave.
Buena Ave. - Sheridan Rd. to Broadway
Wellington Ave. - Clark St. to Sheffield Ave.
N. Sheridan Rd. - Montrose Ave. to Agatite St.
* Please note that parking on Halsted and Belmont will be restricted until 4 a.m. Monday, June 25
ADDITIONAL PARKING RESTRICTIONS:
There will be additional parking restrictions on Sunnyside Ave. between Broadway and N. Sheridan Rd. also N. Sheridan Rd. from Montrose Ave. to Agatite St.
TOWING: Begins at 5 am. Due to the volume of vehicles involved, the issuing of parking violation citations and towing will start at 5 am - Promptly.
CROSS STREETS: Rolling closing times. Cross streets will close as the parade travels south down the route. After stepping off at Noon, the parade will take approximately two and one-half hours to finish crossing the Broadway & Montrose corner. After this time, the floats will still be winding their way to the end of the parade route at Diversey & Sheridan. This year there will NOT be a Buffer Zone on Halsted Street after the parade ends. Police will work to re-open the streets to vehicular traffic as soon as cleaning crews are finished and the streets will not remain open to foot traffic.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: From the Red Line: Wilson, Sheridan, Addison or Belmont all provide access via a short walk to the parade route.
PLEASE NOTE: The Belmont station ( and the surrounding area ) tends to become the most crowded, so you are encouraged to consider watching the parade from the other parts of the route, including areas toward the start of the routesuch as Broadway, south of Montrosewhich are served by both the nearby Wilson and Sheridan stations on the Red Line. In addition, a number of lakefront bus routes including the 146 and 151 provide convenient access from the north, the Gold Coast/North Michigan Ave. and downtown to areas east of the parade route.
Extra service will be provided on the 'L' on parade day to accommodate the large numbers of people who attend the parade. Due to the increase of local traffic and a number of bus reroutes, potential parade spectators are advised to make use of the L or the various bus routes.
BUS REROUTES: 8 Halsted, 22 Clark, 36 Broadway, 76 Diversey, 77 Belmont, 78 Montrose, 151 Sheridan, 152 Addison.
Also see CTA web site or call them for updated information concerning the train and bus routes. CTA: 1-312-836-7000 www.transitchicago.com
Other information on public transportation: 1-312-322-6777 www.metrarail.com
PEDESTRIAN CROSS-OVER STREETS:
There will be at least nine cross-over streets:
Montrose Ave. at Broadway
Irving Park Rd. at Broadway
Grace St. at Halsted St.
Addison St. at Halsted St.
Roscoe St. at Halsted St.
Wellington Ave. at Broadway
Aldine St. at Halsted St.
Cornelia Ave. at Halsted St.
Oakdale Ave. at Broadway
At each corner of the streets listed above there will be police officers assigned to assist pedestrians to cross the parade route.
NEEDS AND SPECIAL NEEDS:
1. Portable Restrooms - are stationed along both the parade line-up street and the parade route. Included at several locations are restrooms for the physically challenged.
2. Physically Challenged Area/Wheel chair Accessible Area/Seniors - for people who need or want more space: the sidewalks of W. Diversey Pkwy. ( near 600 W. Diversey ). Traditionally this area of the parade route has fewer spectators than other sections of the parade route. Spectators in these areas generally arrive there early on parade morning to secure their viewing spots. Included there are restrooms for the physically challenged.
3. Seniors ( outdoor ) - The area mentioned above in #2 ( 600 W. Diversey sidewalks ) is a designated OUTDOOR area for seniors. Spectators in this area generally arrive there early on parade morning to secure their viewing spots. Included there are restrooms for the physically challenged.
4. Cooling Busses: Halsted, south of Belmont; Addison, west of Halsted; Belmont, east of Broadway; Wilton, north of Belmont; Buena, west of Broadway.
5. Chicago Fire Department First Aid Stations: 901 W. Addison St.; 765 W. Roscoe St.; 3165 N. Halsted St.; 561 W. Surf St.: 802 W. Roscoe St.
For changes or updates:
www.ChicagoPrideCalendar.org, PrideChgo@aol.com or 773-348-8243 .
Ten Tips for parade spectators
1. $1000 FINE FOR PUBLIC ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION: The parade will have more security and a tighter rein on public alcohol consumption. In addition to the large number of police officers who staff the event, PRIDEChicago (parade coordinators) are providing a security team to supplement the police presence. Penalties include, but are not limited to, $1000+ tickets being issued and/or the immediate disposal of open containers of alcoholic beverages into trash receptacles. (Public urination is also grounds to receive a ticket).
2. STARTING TIME: The parade starts at 12 Noon. So, arrive early to find a good spot.
3. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Parking in the area is limited, so walk, take public transportation (or if you must drive, then car pool). For CTA/PACE/Metra transit information, call 1-312-836-7000; Web Site: www.transitchicago.com or 1-312-322-6777, Web Site: www.metrarail.com; potential spectators are advised to consider making use of Red Line 'L' stations including Sheridan Road, Wilson Avenue or Addison Street (The Belmont stop becomes extremely over crowded on parade day).
4. BARRICADES: The parade route will be lined with iron barricades. Spectators will be required to stand behind the barricades, not in the street. Besides the parade registrants traveling down the middle of the street, only police officers, other city officials, security staff, parade marshals and credentialed members of the media will be allowed in the street.
5. PEDESTRIAN CROSS-OVER STREETS: The nine corners where pedestrians may cross from one side of the parade route to the other side include: Montrose Ave. at Broadway; Irving Park Rd. at Broadway; Grace St. at Halsted St.; Addison St. at Halsted St.; Roscoe St. at Halsted St.; Wellington Ave. at Broadway; Aldine St. at Halsted St. Cornelia Ave. at Halsted St; Oakdale Ave. at Broadway. There will be police officers assigned to assist pedestrians in crossing at these locations. For updates: www.ChicagoPrideCalendar.org
6. CROWDS: Since the number of spectators has increased dramatically in recent years on Halsted Street, spectators are being advised to try other sections of the parade route to view the parade (for example, 4000 to 4300 N. Broadway). In addition, spectators must watch the parade on the actual parade route, not in the assembly area. (The assembly area is for parade participants only).
7. SAMPLING: City ordinance prevents parade participants from tossing items to spectators. Likewise, spectators should not toss items back to parade participants. Spectators are not allowed to walk into the street to get items. Spectators must wait until parade participants come to the sidelines to hand out items. Parade participants are not allowed to hand out items to spectators who are standing on sidewalks in the assembly area. Spectators who want sample items must view the parade from the parade route, not the assembly area. For safety, no high powered water rifles are allowed.
8. TRASH: Keep the neighborhood clean by using trash barrels provided along the route.
9. NEEDS & SPECIAL NEEDS: Physically challenged/wheelchair accessible and senior area is provided. See parade website for details. Portable restrooms are placed along parade route.
10. POLICE PERSONNEL ARE ON HAND (as well as parade marshals): In addition, PRIDEChicago (parade coordinators) are providing security officers to assist. But spectators can be a big help by obeying the above rules and city ordinances in relation to alcohol consumption and other issues.