Chicago Pride Parade likely to be postponed, according to organizer
CHICAGO - Chicago's Pride Parade, which is usually held in late June, may not go ahead as planned this summer.
"As of now, the Chicago Pride Parade that normally takes place on the last Sunday in June is likely to be postponed this year," according to organizer Tim Frye.
However, the Pride Parade might happen in the fall, Frye says.
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The 2020 Pride Parade was canceled because of COVID-19.
Hundreds of thousands of people normally attend Chicago's LGBTQ celebration, with crowds and rainbow flags filling Uptown, Lake View and Boystown.
"We're not happy about it, but we totally get it, we understand and we're gonna be patient," said Justin Romme, owner of Progress Bar, which is located along the parade route.
Marko Lazovic from Uptown says he's a little surprised to hear that it will likely be postponed.
"I expected like with the vaccination and everything that things would be like getting better," Lazovic said.
But you can still celebrate Pride this year. Pride in the Park Chicago, which was also canceled last year because of COVID, will return to Grant Park.
"We are going to keep the capacity down to a certain limit that the city has given us," said Dusty Carpenter, President and Lead Organizer of Pride in the Park Chicago.
The two day, outdoor festival, with music, activist speakers and more will take place on June 26th and 27th.
"Everyone will have to wear a mask, all the time, even if you've been vaccinated," Carpenter said.
To get in, attendees must have a negative COVID test within three days of the event or proof of vaccination.
"You cannot bring your vaccination card to the event. It's a free app that you'll download on your phone. It will verify your ID, and then where you got the vaccination from," said Carpenter. "You'll literally show our security your ID and your phone and it will either say green you can come in or red you can't."
Tickets for Pride in the Park Chicago go on sale Friday.