Chicago Pride Fest, the annual two-day celebration that has traditionally kicked off Pride weekend has officially been bumped up a week.
The Northalsted Business Alliance (NHBA) has received approval from the city to hold the fest a weekend early this year, Jay Lyon of NHBA confirmed to Windy City Times.
The fest will take place June 22-23. The Pride Parade is scheduled for June 30.
NHBA announced in February that it was considering holding the fest a week early in an effort to spread out Pride activities over a full week and ease congestion in the neighborhood.
The move has been met with mixed reactions. Some commented that the change was a ploy to drive up bar profits, while others lamented that the switch in dates would force out-of-town visitors to choose between the parade and the festival.
Jen Gordon, a spokesperson for NHBA, previously told Windy City Times that some community members complained in past years that holding Pride Fest on Friday evening made travel home from work difficult. She said the switch to a Saturday-Sunday event would ease overcrowding for Lakeview residents.
"This is something that will be better for the community at large as well," she said.