1st Annual Pet Parade Kicks-Off Chicago Pride Fest 2007 at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 23
Kicking off this year's Chicago Pride Fest will be the first annual Pet Parade at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 23 on North Halsted beginning at Grace St.

/Gay and Lesbian News Articles/ - CHICAGO, IL, June 20, 2007 — Sponsored by North Community Bank, the parade offers all pet owners the chance to dress up their pet in costume and show them off to the public. The pet parade is just one of the many activities that will take place at the fifth annual Chicago Pride Fest which is presented by the Northalsted Area Merchants Association.

Beginning at 10 a.m. free on-site registration will be available to the public. The parade will begin at 11 a.m., when four-legged creatures will march down Halsted to Addison where the parade will commence. The pets will be judged, competing for titles such as; most original costume, funniest costume, most prideful costume and best overall costume. Prizes will consist of gift certificates to local pet hot spots such as animal hospitals and local pet retailers.

Make sure to arrive early to this year's Pride Fest as the first 5,000 people to contribute a $5 donation will receive an authentic Pride Fest wristband which is inscribed with this year's theme, "We Are Family." For more information call (773) 868-3010 or check out the event online at www.chicagoevents.com.

Pride Fest performances will range from a production of "Gay Shakespeare" to the soulful sounds of Kathy Sledge (We are family). Other performances include The Clark Street Band, Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, Chicago Spirit Brigade, Naked Boys Singing, R.O.T.C. (The Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps), Shamlessboyz, Devin & The Straights and Kimi Hayes.

During Chicago Pride Fest parking is limited in areas surrounding the festival; it is recommended that public transportation be used to get to the event. The CTA Red Line "L" (Belmont, Addison stops) or Brown Line "L" (Belmont stop) are conveniently located a few blocks from the festival. For routes, directions and connections, call (773) 836-7000 or visit www.transitchicago.com.

Make sure to check out the other lively summer festivals that NAMA presents throughout the summer season. Halsted Taste Better, an event that celebrates the culinary excellence of the North Halsted area, will take place 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Monday, June 18 at N. Halsted and Aldine Streets. And don't forget Market Days, the largest two-day street fair in the Midwest, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, August 11, and Sunday, August 12.

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