Memories & moments to remember from the 2016 Chicago Pride Parade
Mon. June 27, 2016 9:05 PM by Ross Forman
photo credit // ross forman
A 3-hour parade captured in 30 photos (Full gallery link below)
The parade was shorter.
The police presence was stronger.
The crowd was smaller.
The colors were still as vibrant as ever.
The 47th annual Chicago Pride Parade, held Sunday afternoon, June 26, was a mix of emotions under a sweltering sunshine, with the temperature in the 90s: joy, pride and pain.
The opening of the parade – with the moving tribute to the 49 slain victims of the June 12 tragedy at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla. – was exceptional. Chicagoans carried posters of each victim. It was a colorful, touching tribute – and it was great to see and hear this group get a round of applause, which somehow was the only one I distinctly heard all day.
Many of the locals who were selected to carry the signs were Latino, which was fitting.
Orlando was represented, and honored, throughout the parade – with signs, banners, posters, t-shirts and more.
The tears for Orlando are still there.
So glad I spotted Shane Earley during the parade. He lives in Tampa, Fla., and was understandably very emotional while in Chicago about the Orlando tragedy. He marched in the parade with others in town for the Outsports Reunion. I told him to look for me on the balcony of the Center on Halsted, and sure enough, he spotted me, knew I had my camera, and held up an ORLANDO UNITED t-shirt. With multi-colored confetti on the ground around him, courtesy of the Sidetrack flat, the photo of Earley is one of my favorites from the 2016 parade.
I snapped close to 700 photos, so, narrowing the list of my favorites, the most meaningful and emotional, and/or the most memorable pics is, well, nearly impossible. I thought of picking 16 to represent 2016, but opted for 30. Too many to not include.
Thanks to Modesto "Tico" Valle and his crew at the Center on Halsted for hosting an annual parade-viewing party that brings together old and young, men and women. And the view of Halsted Street from the Center's third-floor is perfect.
The parade certainly was shorter this year. With only 160 entrees, it seemed to move quickly. If a near-three hour parade can be called quickly.
One thing was certain about the 2016 parade ... there was no shortage of police, and not just in-uniform Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers. They seemed everywhere, often in groups of five or so. There were Security officers, as well as officers on horseback, and no doubt undercover cops, too. Saw a photo on Facebook that, reportedly, was a police sniper. Wouldn't surprise me, but I didn't see any. Very glad to see this strong police presence, though.
The police certainly had their work cut out for them, particularly after the parade, into the wee hours of the morning – when drunks were really drunk, and the crowds were still huge.
Was near Seven Nightclub about an hour after the parade finished in the area when I watched and heard a parade-goer repeatedly say "Thanks for being here" to the police on Halsted, which was barricaded off. I think only a few of the police acknowledged the favorable comments.
Was glad to see the parade seemed to flow, without long breaks, as there were last year.
Was a strong smell of marijuana in Lakeview throughout the day. Just saying, or, just smelling.
Seemed to be a lot of politicians in the parade, more than in past year's. Liked seeing Mayor Emanuel walking and holding hands with his daughter. But, was cool seeing him run side to side last year.
No politician looks like he or she is having more fun at the Pride Parade, year in and year out, than Tammy Duckworth.
Great seeing the Mayor, State Rep. Greg Harris and others were a DISARM HATE t-shirt.
The crowd watching the parade on the street, from my angle at the Center, seemed smaller than past years. As I was thinking that, others commented the same thing to me.
The Lakeside Pride Freedom Band had some colorful uniforms that certainly spoke to the day ... but boy they had to be hot.
And I feel for anyone who had to wear a black t-shirt. That sun was strong, relentless for much of the parade. Former governor Pat Quinn had to be hot in slacks and a long-sleeved shirt, even if it was rolled up.
The float of out police officers was super energetic.
Dykes On Bikes always excites the crowd.
Kudos to the guy who carried around the life-size standee of Hillary Clinton. That made me laugh.
Didn't see one thing for, about, in support of, or from Donald Trump. Same for Gov. Bruce Rauner, which wasn't a surprise.
It was, ugh, good to see Ghostbusters supporting the LGBT community. Had me worried that ghosts weren't at least gay-friendly, lol.
About two hours after the parade ended, a few parade-goers tried to get an Uber ride at Hydrate Nightclub. Yes, they actually entered Hydrate as their pickup location. Ugh, clearly they had no clue that Halsted was still closed, so no pickup would happen there. Uber had a nice showing in the parade, but nothing from ride-sharing rival Lyft. But, I did see Lyft supporters passing out Lyft codes for free future rides.
Another favorite photo of mine was of two guys walking side by side, though I don't recall which group they were part of. One sported a Chicago Cubs shirt, the other had a White Sox shirt. I guess the two teams can walk together in Chicago.
The Cubs were so represented in the parade. Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg was front and center on the Cubs float, which also included team owner Laura Ricketts, who is a lesbian, and openly gay former Major Leaguer Billy Bean. Not sure if Sandberg has ever appeared in the parade, but the Cubs arguably have had the most Hall of Famers in a Pride Parade of any team, in any sport, in any city. Fellow former Cubs Ernie Banks and Billy Williams have appeared in the parade in the past.
More sports: I spotted Charlie Rice-Minoso in his rainbow-colored tank-top on the Equality Illinois float. He is, of course, the son of longtime White Sox legend Minnie Minoso.
Balloons By Tommy had one of the strongest showings of any. I gotta know, or at least want to know, how many balloons they used.
The Windy City Cowboys look great as a group, in sync, from overhead.
Sidetrack never fails to bring it on parade day. Their float this year paid tribute to the frozen drinks, which are celebrating 30 years at the Boystown bar. There were scantily-clad bartenders on the float and their confetti blaster was awesome. Kudos to Art, Brad and the rest of the Sidetrack crew who entertained, and Jason who launched the colorful confetti.
I liked the tropical-themed float "From Israel And ADL With Pride." Just hate having to Google what something is, which I did with ADL.
Was a float from Wella Professionals – Professional Sebastian. Not sure what it is, or what it does, or anything about it. Just will say, their float was way too somber.
Wasn't impressed with the Broadway In Chicago float. Seemed ... empty.
Phoenix Bar & Nightclub had a rocking, colorful float, with plenty of eye-candy.
Congrats to all who made the 2016 Chicago Pride Parade one to remember ... can't wait for the 2017 edition.
View all 30 photos
The police presence was stronger.
The crowd was smaller.
The colors were still as vibrant as ever.
The 47th annual Chicago Pride Parade, held Sunday afternoon, June 26, was a mix of emotions under a sweltering sunshine, with the temperature in the 90s: joy, pride and pain.
The opening of the parade – with the moving tribute to the 49 slain victims of the June 12 tragedy at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla. – was exceptional. Chicagoans carried posters of each victim. It was a colorful, touching tribute – and it was great to see and hear this group get a round of applause, which somehow was the only one I distinctly heard all day.
Many of the locals who were selected to carry the signs were Latino, which was fitting.
Orlando was represented, and honored, throughout the parade – with signs, banners, posters, t-shirts and more.
The tears for Orlando are still there.
So glad I spotted Shane Earley during the parade. He lives in Tampa, Fla., and was understandably very emotional while in Chicago about the Orlando tragedy. He marched in the parade with others in town for the Outsports Reunion. I told him to look for me on the balcony of the Center on Halsted, and sure enough, he spotted me, knew I had my camera, and held up an ORLANDO UNITED t-shirt. With multi-colored confetti on the ground around him, courtesy of the Sidetrack flat, the photo of Earley is one of my favorites from the 2016 parade.
I snapped close to 700 photos, so, narrowing the list of my favorites, the most meaningful and emotional, and/or the most memorable pics is, well, nearly impossible. I thought of picking 16 to represent 2016, but opted for 30. Too many to not include.
Thanks to Modesto "Tico" Valle and his crew at the Center on Halsted for hosting an annual parade-viewing party that brings together old and young, men and women. And the view of Halsted Street from the Center's third-floor is perfect.
The parade certainly was shorter this year. With only 160 entrees, it seemed to move quickly. If a near-three hour parade can be called quickly.
One thing was certain about the 2016 parade ... there was no shortage of police, and not just in-uniform Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers. They seemed everywhere, often in groups of five or so. There were Security officers, as well as officers on horseback, and no doubt undercover cops, too. Saw a photo on Facebook that, reportedly, was a police sniper. Wouldn't surprise me, but I didn't see any. Very glad to see this strong police presence, though.
The police certainly had their work cut out for them, particularly after the parade, into the wee hours of the morning – when drunks were really drunk, and the crowds were still huge.
Was near Seven Nightclub about an hour after the parade finished in the area when I watched and heard a parade-goer repeatedly say "Thanks for being here" to the police on Halsted, which was barricaded off. I think only a few of the police acknowledged the favorable comments.
Was glad to see the parade seemed to flow, without long breaks, as there were last year.
Was a strong smell of marijuana in Lakeview throughout the day. Just saying, or, just smelling.
Seemed to be a lot of politicians in the parade, more than in past year's. Liked seeing Mayor Emanuel walking and holding hands with his daughter. But, was cool seeing him run side to side last year.
No politician looks like he or she is having more fun at the Pride Parade, year in and year out, than Tammy Duckworth.
Great seeing the Mayor, State Rep. Greg Harris and others were a DISARM HATE t-shirt.
The crowd watching the parade on the street, from my angle at the Center, seemed smaller than past years. As I was thinking that, others commented the same thing to me.
The Lakeside Pride Freedom Band had some colorful uniforms that certainly spoke to the day ... but boy they had to be hot.
And I feel for anyone who had to wear a black t-shirt. That sun was strong, relentless for much of the parade. Former governor Pat Quinn had to be hot in slacks and a long-sleeved shirt, even if it was rolled up.
The float of out police officers was super energetic.
Dykes On Bikes always excites the crowd.
Kudos to the guy who carried around the life-size standee of Hillary Clinton. That made me laugh.
Didn't see one thing for, about, in support of, or from Donald Trump. Same for Gov. Bruce Rauner, which wasn't a surprise.
It was, ugh, good to see Ghostbusters supporting the LGBT community. Had me worried that ghosts weren't at least gay-friendly, lol.
About two hours after the parade ended, a few parade-goers tried to get an Uber ride at Hydrate Nightclub. Yes, they actually entered Hydrate as their pickup location. Ugh, clearly they had no clue that Halsted was still closed, so no pickup would happen there. Uber had a nice showing in the parade, but nothing from ride-sharing rival Lyft. But, I did see Lyft supporters passing out Lyft codes for free future rides.
Another favorite photo of mine was of two guys walking side by side, though I don't recall which group they were part of. One sported a Chicago Cubs shirt, the other had a White Sox shirt. I guess the two teams can walk together in Chicago.
The Cubs were so represented in the parade. Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg was front and center on the Cubs float, which also included team owner Laura Ricketts, who is a lesbian, and openly gay former Major Leaguer Billy Bean. Not sure if Sandberg has ever appeared in the parade, but the Cubs arguably have had the most Hall of Famers in a Pride Parade of any team, in any sport, in any city. Fellow former Cubs Ernie Banks and Billy Williams have appeared in the parade in the past.
More sports: I spotted Charlie Rice-Minoso in his rainbow-colored tank-top on the Equality Illinois float. He is, of course, the son of longtime White Sox legend Minnie Minoso.
Balloons By Tommy had one of the strongest showings of any. I gotta know, or at least want to know, how many balloons they used.
The Windy City Cowboys look great as a group, in sync, from overhead.
Sidetrack never fails to bring it on parade day. Their float this year paid tribute to the frozen drinks, which are celebrating 30 years at the Boystown bar. There were scantily-clad bartenders on the float and their confetti blaster was awesome. Kudos to Art, Brad and the rest of the Sidetrack crew who entertained, and Jason who launched the colorful confetti.
I liked the tropical-themed float "From Israel And ADL With Pride." Just hate having to Google what something is, which I did with ADL.
Was a float from Wella Professionals – Professional Sebastian. Not sure what it is, or what it does, or anything about it. Just will say, their float was way too somber.
Wasn't impressed with the Broadway In Chicago float. Seemed ... empty.
Phoenix Bar & Nightclub had a rocking, colorful float, with plenty of eye-candy.
Congrats to all who made the 2016 Chicago Pride Parade one to remember ... can't wait for the 2017 edition.
View all 30 photos