Chinatown is a 30 block commercial area centered on and around Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road. The neighborhood is home to more than 10,000 residents and about 400 businesses and local institutions. But its current location is not the original place for Chinatown. In the 1880s, the community formed along a two-block stretch on Clark Street in the loop. Increasing rent forced many business owners to move south around 1912. Today, Chinatown includes an outdoor shopping mall with restaurants, bakeries and gift stores.
The 2012 Lunar New Year Parade, on Sunday January 29th celebrates the Year of the Dragon. It will include marching bands, floats, lion teams and mystical dragon and more. The parade kicks off celebrations of Chinatown Centennial 1912-2012. Parade step-off time is 1PM, but other activities star as early at 11:30AM. Find out the details at chicagochinatown.org
