Orderly crowds, smooth transit reported as thousands leave Midway Plaisance watch party
Thousands of people streamed out of Midway Plaisance shortly after 2 p.m., with attendees and observers describing the afternoon as relatively orderly despite the size of the crowd.
Even with a maze of nearby street closures, both pedestrian and vehicle traffic appeared to move steadily.
Attendees said travel to and from the event was easier than expected, with many opting for public transportation. A Metra stop and CTA bus stops located near Midway Plaisance helped accommodate the crowds, contributing to what some called a smooth experience.
"It was not what I expected at all. I was definitely expecting something that was going to be chaotic and hard to get in. It was very smooth," said Princess Shaw, who attended the watch party.
Others said they anticipated heavy congestion and planned accordingly by avoiding driving.
"We did prepare for a lot of traffic, and that's why we didn't bring the car. We took the train. So much easier just to get on the train, and Metra just recently opened up a lot of new times for people on the South Side to be able to get to the Obama Center," said Daniel Bobo-Jones, another attendee.
Security and organization at the site also drew positive feedback.
"Getting in was easy. Security was great, had no problems. You felt safe. You know, there was no drama, no anything," said Genores Robinson, who attended the event.
While many relied on public transit, at least one attendee reported being able to arrive by car shortly before the watch party began and find parking nearby on 59th Street.
