Chicago Area Local News

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Hundreds of thousands of people are expected at the Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade this coming Sunday, and organizers have enacted new rules to keep the crowd in order.

In years past, participants would toss beads and other items to the crowd from aboard the floats, and the route was open in many places so that spectators could hop onto a float.

But this year, barricades will be up for the entire parade route on both sides of the street. The parade runs north on Halsted Street from Belmont Avenue to Broadway and Grace Street, then south on Broadway to Diversey Parkway, and finally east on Diversey Parkway to Cannon Drive. Parade marshals and police officers will also be posted along the entire route.

"Parade spectators MUST stay behind barricades," parade organizers warn sternly. "Only registered parade entries, Parade Marshals, police, and other city officials will be allowed in the street."

In addition, this year, spectators may not walk into the street to get items, and participants may not throw beads or other items into the crowd – an action that organizers say is prohibited by city ordinance. High-powered water rifles and squirt guns may not be used as in past years, and pets are not allowed on the route, organizers said.

Parade organizers also suggested that because of huge crowds on the Boystown strip of Halsted Street, spectators are encouraged to try other sections of the route, such as Broadway between Wellington and Diversey, or Diversey itself. However, spectators on Diversey may run into the anti-gay religious protesters who traditionally set up behind a barricade at the southeast corner of Diversey and Pine Grove.

Spectators are also advised to walk or take public transportation, since parking is limited. They are also advised to use trash barrels to keep the area clean, and keep out of the street so crews can clean up at the end of the parade.

While many bars open early all along the parade route, alcohol consumption should not take place outside, organizers emphasized. Attendees should bring plenty of bottled water and sunscreen.

Safety concerns have mounted this year, after the parade was delayed last year when a participant fell off a float and broke a leg.

The parade this year features 250 registered entries. The grand marshal this year is actress, teacher and activist Alexandra Billings, who will be riding in a classic car. Billings and has guest starred in "ER" and "Grey's Anatomy" and completed her first film, "Socket," in 2007. She now lives in California with her wife, Chrisanne Blankenship.

The parade this year features 250 registered entries. The grand marshal this year is actress, teacher and activist Alexandra Billings, who will be riding in a classic car. Billings and has guest starred in "ER" and "Grey's Anatomy" and completed her first film, "Socket," in 2007. She now lives in California with her wife, Chrisanne Blankenship, but returns to her former home of Chicago to teach at the Steppenwolf Theater.

This year's parade commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York, in which patrons of a gay bar in Greenwich Village stood up to a police raid. The conflict marked the beginning of the modern gay rights movement.

The pride flags are already posted along the parade route, and in the days leading up to the parade, there are a variety of events around town to honor the history and culture of the gay and lesbian community, or just to let your hair down and party.

• On Tuesday, it's movie night on the Osterman Beach, just off the north end of Lake Shore Drive. The Association of Sheridan Road Condo/Co-op owners and the Chicago Park District will host a screening of "The Producers" on the beach, with free popcorn to boot. Attendees should bring their own chairs, blankets, and refreshments. The movie screening is free, and starts at 8 p.m.

• Also Tuesday, the Women & Children First Bookstore, at 5233 N. Clark St. in the Andersonville neighborhood, will host a literary reading and open mic. It begins at 7:30 p.m.

• On Tuesday and Wednesday, the New Town Writers group hosts a solo performance series known as "Solo Homo No. 7" at the Strawdog Theatre Company's Hugen Hall cabaret, 3829 N. Broadway, starting at 7:30.

• On Thursday and Friday, the Chicago Gay Mens Chorus hosts "Over the Rainbow," a choral concert in tribute to Judy Garland and the Stonewall anniversary. It begins at 7 p.m. both nights at the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway.

• The Chicago Pride Fest kicks off on Friday on Halsted Street between Waveland and Grace. It runs from 3 to 10 p.m. on Friday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. The festival will feature performances by bands and choral groups, and on both days, drag shows with Chicago's best female impersonators. And while there are no pets in the parade, you can bring your pet to the Petco Pet Pride Parade, hosted by the famous Miss Foozie at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

• On Saturday morning, the 28h Annual Proud to Run 5k and 10k run and 2-mile fun walk steps off At Montrose Harbor. Be prepared to get running by 8:04 a.m.

• There's another outdoor movie screening on Saturday night. The Chicago Filmmakers Group will show the sing-along version of "Mamma Mia!" on a large-projection screen at Osterman Beach. The movie starts at dusk, and it's free.

• For a women's oriented event, there's the Sixth Annual Backlot Bash, off the beaten path of the Pride events up in Andersonville. Live bands, drinks and dance will be available at the event, which runs from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. behind the parking lot at the Cheetah Gym, 5238 N. Clark St.

• After the parade, Halsted Street always remains packed with an electrified crowd, and the bars are sure to be full. But there are also some post-parade celebrations off the beaten path. Out at the Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Ave., Pretty Boy Enterprises hosts "Pretty Boy Pride Featuring Pepper Mashay" from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.

• And in the parking lot behind Ann Sather, 929 W. Belmont Ave., it's the annual Girlblast event, which goes from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday and offers plenty of dancing for the ladies.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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