Weekend events to impact traffic, so plan ahead

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Between parades, block parties, music festivals, baseball games and a triathlon, this weekend's share of summer activities could make it difficult to get around in the city.

The 29th Chicago Gospel Music Festival in the city's Bronzeville neighborhood will host a weekend of inspirational music at Ellis Park at 37th and Cottage Grove.

Traveling to West Loop, you may run into detours as you get close to Old St. Pat's Church as they host the 30th annual World's Largest Block Party, where 20,000 people are expected to attend over the next two days.

"Thirty years ago when they started it, they just took up the one little part of the street right in front of the church and they had 5,000 people, but now when you have this many people, thank God for our wonderful neighbors who let us use the parking lots," said Tom Hurley of Old St. Patrick's Church.

On the North Side, look for Cubs traffic. A doubleheader Saturday afternoon will keep crowds around Wrigleyville.

On Sunday morning, street closures in Lakeview go into effect for Pride Parade. The parade route goes from Montrose to Diversey.

Back downtown, traffic will be forced to stop on Lake Shore Drive as athletes cross for the ITU World Triathlon Chicago. Expect closures to begin before noon Saturday and Sunday. Columbus Drive will also be closed.

Thousands of elite and amateur triathletes are in town to compete.

"It's exciting to have races close by, usually as American athletes, we're traveling overseas and have to be based in Europe, when I got the chance to race here in Chicago, it's a two-hour flight from Colorado so it's pretty nice," said Hunter Kemper, a Triathlon athlete.