Fri. June 24, 2011
Chicago, IL -
Pride Weekend in Chicago has officially kicked off as the gates of Pride Fest opened at 4 p.m. on an cool and overcast Friday afternoon in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood.
Chicago Pride Fest, held before the Chicago Pride Parade on Sunday, June 26, marks the first official party of summer with a two-day LGBT celebration of pride.
Hosted by the Northalsted Business Alliance along Halsted Street at Waveland Ave., Chicago Pride Fest is open until 10 p.m. Friday and runs Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
This year features a non-stop lineup of rock and dance performers on two stages, with one dedicated to some of Chicago's fine performers in the gay community. Deborah Cox and Ultra Nate headline the North Stage at Halsted Street and Grace on Friday. Chicago's Sixteen Candles headlines the South Stage at Halsted Street and Addison.
Saturday's entertainment includes Crystal Waters, Kim English and Inaya Day.
Pride Fest also showcases an eclectic lineup of arts & crafts, food and other vendors.
A gate donation of $7 benefits the Northalsted Business Alliance, the same group behind the popular Northalsted Market Days set for the weekend of August 13 and 14.
Entertainment Stages
Friday, June 24
South Stage
6:00pm - The Personnel
7:30pm - Chicago Spirit Brigade
8:15pm - Sixteen Candles
North Stage
5:00pm - Drag Show featuring Chicago's Best Female Impersonators
7:00pm - Deborah Cox
8:00pm - Drag Show featuring Chciago's Best Female Impersonators
9:00pm - Ultra Nate
Saturday, June 25
South Stage
Noon - Lakeside Pride Show Band
1:00pm - Pet Parade with Miss Foozie
2:30pm - Chicago RedLine
3:30pm - ROTC
5:00pm - ROTC
6:00pm - Rock Candy
7:30pm - Windy City Cowboys
8:00pm - Wedding Banned
North Stage
1:00pm - Pet Parade with Miss Foozie
1:30pm - Drag Show featuring Chicago's Best Female Impersonators
2:30pm - Mya
3:00pm - Drag Show featuring Chicago's Best Female Impersonators
4:30pm - Xelle
5:30pm - Drag Show featuring Chicago's Best Female Impersonators
7:00pm - Crystal Waters
8:00pm - Kim English
8:45pm - Inaya Day
Another fun-filled highlight at this year's Chicago Pride Fest will be a Pet Pride Parade hosted by Miss Foozie, which starts at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, from the North stage area.
The 42nd annual Chicago Pride Parade, which is expected to draw over half a million people, steps off at Noon on Sunday, June 26, from Belmont and Halsted Street in Boystown.
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Head to the local LGBTQ news, events, directory and people network at ChicagoPride.com