With many festivals, athletic events, and simultaneous events throughout the city and along the lakefront 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. 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 coordinate public safety resources with critical stakeholders.

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.

As a reminder, bridges will be lifted on Saturday, June 18 in succession from Ashland to DuSable Lake Shore Drive beginning at 8am for boats heading to the lake. Expect delays or seek alternate route.

Motorists in the areas where events are happening should be prepared for increased traffic and possible reroutes. There will be some street closures in effect for larger events to ensure public safety. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at select events citywide to direct flow and impacts from heavy traffic. Residents and motorists should be aware of the following large events:

Chicago Pridefest -Northalsted
Saturday, June 18 – Sunday, June 19, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
The Chicago Pride Fest is held annually the weekend before the Chicago Pride Parade held along N. Halsted Street from Addison St. to Grace St. with upwards of 60,000 expected to attend. Event goers should be aware of the green pole makers with white numbers located on the light poles along N. Halsted used to reference location. No large bags/backpacks allowed, and all bags will be inspected prior to entry. For complete details, visit northalsted.com/pridefest

Taste of Chicago, Pullman
Pullman Park, 11101 S. Cottage Grove
Saturday, June 18, noon-8 p.m.
Taste of Chicago Pullman brings food vendors, music, and Chicago SummerDance to Pullman Park in the Pullman neighborhood. For complete details, visit TasteofChicago.us.

Gold Coast Art Fair, Grant Park
Saturday, June 18 – Sunday, June 19, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Butler Field in Grant Park is the location for the 64th Gold Coast Art Fair. Festival entrances to Butler Field are located on Monroe St. and Jackson Drive as well as Monroe and Columbus. For complete details, visit AmdurProductions.com/event/2022GoldCoastArtFair.

Taste of Randolph Street, West Loop
Friday June 17, 5–10 p.m.
Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19, noon–10 p.m.
Commemorating the iconic street festival’s 25th Anniversary along Randolph Street in the West Loop from 900-1200 W. Randolph. Entertainment will feature Chicago house music, DJs and more. For complete details, visit starevents.com/event/taste-of-randolph.

Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash 2022
Douglass Park - 1401 S. Sacramento Drive
Friday, June 17, 2–10 p.m.
Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19, noon–10 p.m.
The Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash is a three-day hip-hop festival in Douglass Park. All bags will be searched up entry, backpacks and bags with multiple pockets will not be permitted. For complete details, visit TheSummerSmash.com.
Street Closures:

• Full: Farrar Dr from 15th St to 19th St; 6/7/22-6/23
• Full: Sacramento Dr from 15th St to 19th St; 6/13-6/22
• Full: Farrar Dr from 12th Pl to 15th St; 6/16-6/19
• Full: Marshall Ave from 19th St to 21st St; 6/17-6/19
• Full: 19th St from California to Marshall Ave; 6/17-1/19
• Curb Lane: Sacramento Dr from 16th St to 19th St; 6/7-6/23
• Curb Lane: Ogden Ave from California to Kedzie; 6/17-6/19

ITAV Juneteenth Village Fest, Douglass Park
Saturday, June 18, noon–6 p.m.
First annual Juneteenth Fest held in Douglass Park on California Avenue from 12th Place to Ogden Ave. For complete details, visit itavschools.org/itavfest

Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field
Thursday, June 16, 1:20 p.m. (v. San Diego Padres)
Friday, June 17, Saturday, June 18, & Sunday, June 19, 1:20 p.m. (v. Atlanta Braves)
To plan your visit to Wrigley Field, visit MLB.com/cubs

Sail Grand Prix, Navy Pier
Wednesday, June 15 – Sunday, June 19, noon–6 p.m.
On June 18 and 19, nine national teams will race F50 catamarans on Lake Michigan.Bag checks and wanding will occur at all entrances. For complete details, visit SailGP.com/races.

Navy Pier Fireworks
600 E. Grand Ave. (Navy Pier)
Saturday, June 18 at 10 p.m.
Beginning on Memorial Day weekend, Navy Pier will present fireworks shows each Wednesday and Saturday through Labor Day weekend. Wednesday shows begin at 9 p.m. and Saturday shows begin at 10 p.m. For complete details, visit NavyPier.org.

Public Transportation: As with any large–scale event, public transportation is encouraged and both CTA and Metra are providing additional service for the event. 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.

Pole Markers/Location Identifiers: Residents are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area and from 1200 DuSable Lake Shore Drive to 6600 DuSable Lake Shore Drive. These location identifiers help to reference a location within the park to share with friends, family and first responders if there is an emergency.

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. OEMC also issues TEXT alerts for lakefront notices, issues affecting businesses or COVID-19 updates:

• 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

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).

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.

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