Ten things you want to know about this year's Chicago Pride Parade

The parade starts at 12 Noon at the corner of Broadway and Montrose, proceeding south on Broadway, then south on Halsted, then east on Belmont, then south on Broadway, then east on Diversey to Cannon Drive. Hundreds of thousands of people line the parade route for the annual event.

The parade will feature 160 entries featuring colorful floats, decorated vehicles, marching band and walking contingents representing community organizations, businesses, organizations government officials and individuals. The procession contains both celebratory as well as political components.

The parade weekend is a culmination of June Pride Month that each year features hundreds of events, which include major festivals in the city.

View the complete list of parade entries and participants.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the city's first openly gay mayor, is one of seven grand marshals. She'll ride a float near the front of the parade, a first for a Chicago mayor.

The other grand marshals: Molly Pinta, the 13-year-old who organized the inaugural Buffalo Grove Pride Parade; Joel Hall, founder of the Joel Hall Dance Company; Jim Flint, owner of the Baton Show Lounge; Marge Summit, owner of the His 'n Hers bar; and Chuck Adams and Gwyn Ciesla of Invisible Aurora, the group behind the Aurora Pride Parade.

The 2019 parade, under the theme "Stonewall 50: Millions of Moments of Pride", will honor the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots, an event that served as a catalyst for the gay liberation movement.

"This year's parade is special because it's the 50th anniversary," parade coordinator Richard Pfeiffer told GoPride.com. "We have some new surprise entries, along with multiple Grand Marshals, which is new this year."

Chicago Pride Parade Coordinator reflects on parade's 50-year history

Pride Parades commemorate the Stonewall rebellion that took place on June 28, 1969 when patrons of a New York City gay bar, the Stonewall Inn, fought back during a raid by police. At that time, gay bars were frequently raided across the country. That night, bar patrons fought the police and street demonstrations continued for several days. During that week gay liberation groups were formed, thus giving birth to the modern day LGBTQ+ rights movement.

A look back at the Chicago Pride Parade: 1970 - 2018

The parade and the surrounding area attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators and visitors on parade day. So for safety reasons, besides police officers provided by the city, the parade organizers have provided a security team of 170, and also parade marshals along the parade route.

Alcohol consumption has decreased at recent parades because penalties for open containers of alcoholic beverages can be severe including $1000 + tickets being issued and the immediate disposal of open containers of alcoholic beverages.

Police officers and security personnel are stationed along the parade route to intercept people with open containers of alcoholic beverages.

People planning to be spectators at the parade are advised to bring water, sun screen and a head covering because Pride Parade day is often very hot and humid.

And this weekend is no exception. The forecast for Sunday, June 30 is partly sunny and humid with a high of 83. Showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly after 4 p.m. The parade will continue rain or shine.

There will be nine cross-over streets along the parade route: Montrose at Broadway; Irving Park Rd. at Broadway; Grace at Halsted; Addison at Halsted; Cornelia at Halsted; Roscoe at Halsted; Aldine at Halsted; Wellington Ave. at Broadway and Oakdale Ave. at Broadway. There will be police officers assigned to assist pedestrians in crossing at these locations.

Since the number of spectators has increased dramatically in recent years on Halsted Street, spectators are being advised to try other sections of the parade route to view the parade, including along Broadway in the Uptown neighborhood.

Best locations to view the parade

Public transportation is highly recommended. The CTA will be providing extra service and longer trains on the L, and several buses will be re-routed on parade day. Bicycles will not be permitted on CTA trains for most of the day, and strollers and carts must be folded before boarding all CTA buses and trains.

The nearest L stops are: Wilson, Sheridan, Addison or Belmont on the Red Line and Southport, Belmont, Wellington, or Diversey on the Brown Line. Bus lines are 8, 22, 36, 80, or 152.

The CTA encourages riders to avoid the Belmont station, which will likely be crowded.

CTA issues commemorative Pride Parade ticket for this weekend

Yes, that's it. Just have fun! See you at the 50th annual Chicago Pride Parade on Sunday! Share your photos, tag @GoPride.

Related: Mayor Lightfoot signs proclamation for Chicago's Pride Month
Related: 2019 Chicago Pride Month events