Chicago’s Air and Water Show at North Avenue Beach along with multiple festivals and concerts are happening throughout the city this weekend, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is advising residents and visitors to be aware of street closures, additional crowds, increased traffic and to plan accordingly. OEMC is advising residents, to stay vigilant and enjoy the weekend safely and responsibly.

This weekend, the City of Chicago will have citywide deployments to ensure the safety and security of the public. The OEMC will monitor weekend events and weather conditions citywide from the Operations Center and will coordinate public safety resources with critical stakeholders as needed. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at select events citywide to direct flow and impacts from increased traffic.

Report Suspicious Activity: If You See Something, Say Something. The city reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

Clark After Dark | 420 North Clark Street
Thursday, August 18 at 7 p.m.
USO Clark after Dark is held in River North, at 420 N. Clark St on W. Hubbard Street, between N. Clark and N. Lasalle streets. USO of Illinois’ annual Clark After Dark block party celebrates America’s military service members and their families. In 2021, they will be celebrating their 13th anniversary! Proceeds from the event benefit the USO of Illinois program and services that serve more than 326,000 military personnel and military families of Illinois. For details, visit StarEvents.com/ClarkAfterDark.

Chicago Air and Water Show | North Avenue Beach
Friday, August 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Practice)
Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The City of Chicago and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) proudly present the 2022 Chicago Air and Water Show, August 20 and 21 along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach serving as show center from 10 am to 2 pm daily. Established in 1959 and one of the largest free admission events of its kind, headliners of the 2022 show include the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, who are dedicating their performances to the memory of Rudy Malnati Jr.

For public safety, green and white pole markers are attached to light poles at North Avenue Beach from Oak Street to Fullerton serving as location identifiers if spectators need to call 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity, an emergency or injury. The numbers provide first responders with your exact location. They can also be used to reunite with family or friends should you become separated.

Public transportation is strongly recommended. Spectators can plan their CTA trip by using. TransitChicago.com/planatrip/. There is no public parking at the North Avenue Beach over Air & Water weekend. Millennium Park Garages has discounted pre-purchase parking and a shuttle (with lift) from the garage to inner DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

WBBM Newsradio 780 / 105.9 will broadcast the show live Saturday and Sunday, on both the radio and the free Audacy app. For more information, visit chicagoairandwatershow.us.

Ruido Fest | Union Park
Friday, August 19, 2:45–10 p.m.
Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21, 12:45–10 p.m.
The Latin Alternative Music Festival returns to Union Park, located at 1501 W. Randolph Street. For complete details including security and bag policy, visit RuidoFest.com.

Red Hot Chili Peppers | Soldier Field
Friday, August 19, 6:30 p.m.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers will be joined by hey are joined by very special guests The Strokes, and Thundercat. Parking opens at 3 p.m. and gates open at 5 p.m. For complete details, visit SoldierField.net|RedHotChiliPeppers

Ribfest Chicago | Northcenter
Friday, August 19, 5 – 10 p.m.; Saturday, August 20, noon–10 p.m. and Sunday, August 21, noon–10 p.m.
The festival is located along Lincoln Avenue between Irving Park Road and Berteau Avenue. For complete details, visit ribfest-chicago.com.

Other Weekend Events
Other events throughout the weekend that may impact traffic|crowds include:

• Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest 2021 | 6900 N. Glenwood
  • Friday, August 19, 6 – 10 pm., Saturday, August 20, 11 am–10 pm and Sunday, August 21, 11 am –7 pm. For detailed information, visit GlenwoodAve.org.
• Kendrick Lamar | United Center
  • Friday, August 19, 7:30 pm. Gate opens at 6 p.m. For complete details, visit UnitedCenter.com
• Bad Bunny | Soldier Field
  • Saturday, August 20 at 6:30 pm. Parking opens at 3 pm and gates open at 5 pm. For complete details, visit SoldierField.net/BadBunny.
• Duran Duran | United Center
  • Saturday, August 20, 7 pm. Gate opens at 5:30 pm. For complete details, visit UnitedCenter.com

Public Health Guidance on Monkeypox: The Chicago Department of Public Health encourages anyone with symptoms of Monkeypox (MPV) to see a healthcare provider to get tested; if you do not have access to a provider, please call 312-746-4835 or visit findhealthcarecenter.hrsa.gov to get connected. There is a vaccine available for those who are at highest risk, although supplies right now are limited. If you are experiencing any symptoms, avoid close contact with others and take a break from sex, going out to bars, gyms, clubs, and other events. Do not share personal items and wash your hands and clean shared surfaces regularly. For more information, visit www.chicago.gov|mpv.

Public Health Guidance on COVID-19: The Chicago Department of Public Health strongly urges everyone to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines including all recommended boosters. If you are not vaccinated, wear a mask, avoid crowded areas of the festival and stay at least six feet away from other groups. Do not attend if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 5 days prior, even if you’re vaccinated

Weather and Public Safety: OEMC will monitor events through a collaboration with public safety partners. OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. Residents are encouraged to check the weather before heading out. For the most up-to-date information, please tune into local media or download a weather app.

OEMC issues alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.

• Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org
• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
• CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3
• COVID: Get COVID-19 updates by TEXTING “COVID19” to 6-7-2-8-3

Public Transportation: For all large events, public transportation is encouraged. Public transit is the most affordable, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to get to and from summertime events. For more information, visit CTA and Metra.com.

Grant Park and Lakefront Poles Markers|Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, residents and visitors are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the light poles throughout the Grant Park area and along some areas of the lakefront. The green signs with white letters and numbers are located on DuSable Lake Shore Drive from 2400 North to 6600 South and on the lakefront from Oak Street to Fullerton and Montrose to Foster to help residents reference their location to friends, family and first responders if there is an emergency and you call 9-1-1.

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov|OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook (@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911).

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About OEMC
Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) oversees several functions that support public safety and provides assistance to residents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The OEMC manages the following operational areas for the city: 9-1-1 call taking and dispatch; the 3-1-1 call center; emergency management; and traffic management. The OEMC coordinates with departments citywide, including the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department, in addition to various other local, state, and federal agencies as it relates to public safety planning and coordination for everything from large-scale special events to public safety emergencies and disasters.