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Chicago Asks Gay Pride Parade To Alter Route And Curb Public Intoxication |
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Written by Instinct Staff |
Wednesday, 05 October 2011
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| Tags: chicago, illinois, pride, parade, gay, alter, alcohol, drinking, curb, lgbt |
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In an effort to curb what the city is calling a real "public drunkenness problem," Chicago is forcing organizers of the annual Gay Pride Parade to alter its event in ways that deter massive intoxication among the crowd.
Reports the Chicago Sun Times:
The most important change is the starting time. The parade held on the last Sunday in June will step off at 10 a.m. instead of noon.
“Unless you’re a hard-core drinker, most people don’t drink at 10 o’clock in the morning,” said parade coordinator Richard Pfeiffer.
The number of entries will be reduced from 250 to 200 to shorten the duration of the parade and return the streets to neighborhood residents sooner.
And the route of the parade will be lengthened five blocks — from 17 to 22 — and dramatically altered to stagger crowds, add two CTA L stations to accommodate arriving spectators and reduce neighborhood choke points.
The parade has swelled over the years to 800,000 participants, a number that leaves many asking if its outgrown its Boystown neighborhood roots.
Does the city and/or organizers really think that moving the event from noon to 10 a.m. will thwart drinking? Hello, mimosas!
(Source and image source: Sun Times)
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