Pride Month: The Chicago Pride Parade

It’s Pride Month Illini! The month of June is host to events celebrating LGBTQ people and the Stonewall Riots that occurred in 1969 and served as the tipping point for LGBTQ civil rights. While you can look forward to the Champaign-Urbana area celebrating Pride in September, the festivities are turning up this weekend in Chicago. Below, you’ll find brief facts about the Chicago Pride Parade and learn more about what’s coming this weekend!

  • This year marks the 49th year of the annual Chicago Pride Parade.
  • The first Chicago Pride Parade took place in 1970, commemorating the 1969 Stonewall Riots.
  • In Chicago, there used to be only a Pride Week. It was later expanded from Pride Week to Pride Month.
  • The Chicago Pride Parade historically occurs on the last Sunday of June.
  • Last year, around one million people attended the Chicago Pride Parade.
  • The first Chicago Pride Parades had less than three hundred people in attendance.
Image of Pride marchers holding ballons spelling PRIDE

Chicago Pride

The Chicago Pride Parade takes place on June 24th starting at 12 p.m. at the corner of Broadway and Montrose in Chicago. If you are able to go, remember to stay hydrated and use sunscreen! To learn more about the Chicago Pride Parade and Pride Month visit the Chicago Pride webpage.

If you’re in the Champaign area and still want to know how libraries were involved in the Gay liberation movement, visit the Marshall Gallery in the Main Library building to see the exhibit, Out of the Closet & Onto the Shelves: Librarians and the Oldest Gay Professional Organization in the U.S. This display will be up until June 30th!

One Display of the library exhibit, Out of the Closet and Onto the Shelves

Out of the Closet & Onto the Shelves

 

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Champaign-Urbana in the Summer

Image of Carle Park

Carle Park

If you are sticking around for a Champaign-Urbana summer, you’ll have no shortage of festivals and events. We have the scoop on the most popular festivals you won’t want to miss, plus a few cool tips for summer in CU.

Homer Krazee Daze – August 23 to August 25th

Homer Krazee Daze infographic. August 23-25, Homer, Illinois

Homer Krazee Daze

Taste the rainbow at the Homer Krazee Daze! While you’re tasting dozens of pop flavors you never knew existed, like Americana Huckleberry or Prickly Pear, enjoy music, art, carnival rides, food, and more! Grab a friend with a car and head out to Downtown Homer for this classic annual event!

StreetFest – Saturday, July 14th from 7:00p.m. to Midnight

Head to downtown Champaign for StreetFest! StreetFest is an annual free music and food festival featuring local bands and food. So why is it called StreetFest? Yup, it’s on the street! So join your friends on the corner of Neil & Main or Walnut & University to listen to bands that call CU home.

Champaign County Fair – July 21st to July 28th

Image for the 2018 Champaign County Fair

The 2018 Champaign County Fair

Indulge in country fun and attend the Demolition Derby, ride carnival rides, attend a rodeo, watch a tractor pull, and eat all the best fair food at the Champaign County Fair! Admission is $5 with an additional fee for some events.

Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest – August 11th

Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest 2018 logo

Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest

This all-new festival promises great blues, food, and drink! Check back on their Facebook page for more details as they develop!

Taste of Champaign-Urbana logo

Taste of Champaign-Urbana

Taste of Champaign-Urbana is an annual opportunity to celebrate local restaurants, art, beer, and music in West Side Park. Entrance to the festival is free, but purchase tickets to spend at food vendors. The entertainment list will be out in July! If you’re a runner, you can also join in on the Pie Run in West Side Park, then reward yourself with a good meal.

None of these are your jam? Looking for something else? There’s always something to do in CU! Check out the Champaign Farmers Market Tuesdays 3:30-6:30 or Urbana’s Market at the Square on Saturdays 7am-noon.

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