Memorial Day weekend: Parade held downtown, Ukrainian soldiers participate in Soldier Field 10 Mile
People enjoy music festivals, events across city; Chicago police put Summer Safety Strategy to action with roll call in Gold Coast
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The long holiday weekend brings a chance for extra fun, but this holiday is about the chance to reflect.
Hundreds gathered Saturday for a Memorial Day parade downtown Chicago and for the 10 Mile & 10K run at Soldier Field to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.
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Memorial Day wreath laying and parade
Chicago's Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony and Parade were held Saturday morning.
The ceremony began at 11 a.m. at Daley Plaza. It was emceed by retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant Adam Shaw.
Multiple Chicago-area officials were in attendance for the Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony.
The Memorial Day Parade stepped off at noon on Dearborn Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street.
This year's grand marshal was Sergeant Major Janet Sandoval.
She's a Chicago native with a decorated military career in the Marine Corps. She's also a Lane Tech graduate.
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Soldier Field 10 Memorial Day Run
Runners took part in the Soldier Field 10 Memorial Day Run. It includes 10-mile and 10K races.
The Soldier Field 10, which draws thousands of runners, honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.
The first half mile was lined with posters, showing the faces and names of fallen service members. It invites runners to pause, reflect, and honor their sacrifice.
Ten active-duty Ukrainian service members who traveled to Chicago were among those participating.
Chicago serves as home to one of the country's largest Ukrainian communities and has welcomed families displaced from the ongoing war with Russia.
The visit is meant to be an act of remembrance and a symbol of international solidarity and give the soldiers a mental break.
This is their first time visiting the United States. They will then return to the front lines. Military leadership say their experience in Chicago is meant to give these soldiers hope.
The race began at 7 a.m. on Saturday.
More activities this Memorial Day weekend
Even though it's supposed to be the unofficial start of summer, it didn't quite seem that way with foggy skies and limited sunshine.
However, that did not stop people from going to one of several music festivals this Memorial Day weekend, or coming to the lakefront.
Some people were getting some football practice in ahead of their season at 31st Street Beach even though the sun, at times, barely peaked through the thick fog this Memorial Day weekend.
"We thought it was going to be hot, today, but then we got by the beach, and it got a little cold and got foggy and stuff," beach-goer Travor Bettis said. "We really couldn't catch the ball that good but it brightened up a little bit for us."
At Grant Park, it is once again a weekend for Latino culture with the Sueños Chicago Music Festival returning downtown.
"You're getting the energy. You're getting the atmosphere, so if you're not here, you're missing out," Sueños Festival attendee Vanessa Montanez said.
But with fun, there's always safety first.
"A lot of these officers are out here with their days-off canceled and things of that nature, the least we can do in leadership is to come out here and acknowledge the work that they're doing," Chicago Police Department Supt. Larry Snelling said.
Chicago police began the weekend with a roll call in the Gold Coast, putting to action the city's Summer Safety Strategy.
"This is a beautiful city," Snelling said. "We want to make sure people can enjoy it."
As we head towards summer, an event Saturday at Saint Sabina Church is helping to keep Chicago's children safe. Summer's Ours: Family Barbecue had food, bounce houses and other family fun.
Youth leaders said they were taking a stand for "positivity, peace and community connection." Organizers say they also wanted to respond to the negative stereotypes of teen gatherings.
There are even more events to enjoy this Memorial Day weekend, like the Forever Mine Music Festival in Union Park, with R&B singers such as Keyshia Cole and Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child.
Also Saturday, fireworks returned to Navy Pier. People can catch shows every Wednesday and Saturday through early September.
Saturday's show started at 10 p.m.
Chicago's beaches opened for the season this weekend, however, a Beach Hazards Statement was in effect through Saturday for the entire Lake Michigan shoreline in the Chicago are due to dangerous swimming conditions.
