PRIDE PHOTOS Pride Fest entertains

Warming up for Market Days and the Pride Parade, Chicago held a Pride Fest celebration on June 24 and 25 with Friday starting at 4 p.m. and going until 10 p.m. then an 11 hour celebration Saturday starting at 11 a.m. Blocking off Halsted Street from Waveland to Addison, two stages featured music artists such as Deborah Cox, Mya and Crystal Waters. The drag performers kept the long day jumping as hundreds shopped, drank and ate at the many booths along the way. Vendors such as Oscar Mayer and Barefoot Wines showed their support of the gay community by attending along with over 20 others.

This was the ninth year for the Northhalsted Business Alliance to bring the Fest to the area. Look for Market Days Aug. 13-14 with Darren Criss from Glee and Gloria Gaynor showing us how to survive. Look for showtimes at www.northalsted.com.

Text by Jerry Nunn; photos by Nunn, Dave Ouano and Tim Carroll