"Especially after like the post-pandemic. Its rewat 1st festival of the summer," Mario Perez.
[Ads /]
Dalilah Villafane came out with her cousins to enjoy the Sueños Music Festival, which is being held at Grant Park for the first time.
"We've been waiting Lola [but] never really has any Latino artists and there are never really any festivals so we are excited," said festival-goer Cassandra Henry.
RELATED: Chicago Memorial Day parade returns, ABC7's Stacey Baca emcees wreath-laying ceremony
With temperatures hovering close to the 80s, everyone wanted to get out, and there were plenty of places to go.
"Thank God the weather is good. It's been great so far," Villafane said.
Buckingham Fountain also drew the crowds.
That's what Julie, Tim, and Corbin Harris are doing. The trio is originally from Peoria, Illinois, but they live in North Carolina now.
[Ads /]
"Memorial Day weekend and we hadn't been back to Chicago in so long, so decided to check it out this weekend," Julie said.
RELATED: Memorial Day safety: Chicago beefs up security around city for holiday weekend
But for Toshannia Jones, Saturday is just about getting out with her family and enjoying the city.
"We came downtown to enjoy the fresh air and to go to the park. It's safe," Jones said.
To add to the holiday weekend, fireworks returned to Navy Pier for the unofficial start of summer.
"It just feels good to get back to how things were pre-pandemic," said Lisa Powe.