With less than 24 hours to go, final preparations are underway for the annual Pride Parade on the city’s North Side Sunday.
The parade, which will kick off in Uptown at the corner of Montrose and Broadway, received over 150 entries this year and is expected to attract up to one million people to the area on Sunday.
Over 170 security personnel will be on hand along the parade route, according to officials, and parade-goers can expect a heavy police presence with the large-scale event.
A Look at Aurora's First-Ever Pride Parade
Businesses will also be prepared for the large influx of customers, with extra staff and special hours listed at many retailers during the parade and in its aftermath.
Officials are highly recommending that people traveling to the parade use public transportation, as severe parking restrictions will go into effect at 5 a.m. The Metra will run extra trains on numerous lines, including the UP North, UP Northwest, UP West, and BNSF lines.
The CTA will also provide extra trains and buses, and will also provide more cars to handle the increased ridership.
Local
Photos: The 2017 Chicago Pride Parade
As for where to get off, CTA officials recommend using the Red Line, which stops at Wilson, Sheridan, Addison, and Belmont, and the Brown Line, with Diversey, Wellington, and Belmont all along the parade route.
CTA officials also recommend allowing more time at Belmont later in the day, as it tends to become the most crowded during, and after, the parade.
The parade will kick off at Broadway and Montrose, and will proceed south on Broadway, south on Halsted, east on Belmont, south on Broadway, and east on Diversey to Cannon Drive. Streets in the area are expected to be re-opened by 8 p.m.
