It's that time of year again: Sunday, one of the nation's largest gay pride parades will take over the streets of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood -- but things are being done a bit differently this time around.
The Chicago pride parade's 2012 route has not only gotten longer, but has also moved slightly north (and east): The parade is set to step off from Broadway and Montrose, continuing down Broadway before turning south on Halsted, east on Belmont, south on Broadway and, finally, east on Diversey to Cannon Drive.
The parade will, per tradition, begin at 12 noon and will be grand marshaled by Freedom to Marry founder and president Evan Wolfson. If you can't make it in person, the parade will be streamed live online by Gay Chicago TV in collaboration with ChicagoPride.com.
Last year some 500,000 spectators are estimated to have taken in the parade, packing largely into a radius of only a few blocks of Halsted. Parade organizers this year hope the longer, adjusted route will make for a smoother ride for parade-gazers and participants alike.
In case you need a break from the action, we've rounded up 11 of our favorite spots along the new parade route that may meet your varying needs -- throughout the parade day and beyond.
Don't forget to check out our Pride Month Guide, which offers up a number of Pride Parade weekend alternatives including the Dyke March and the Neo-Futurists' queer take on their "Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind." Happy Pride, Chicago!
Photo by whitneyinchicago via Flickr.
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