interview with r.j.
President of North Halsted Merchant Association
Creators of Market Days and PrideFest!

With all the events going on in the world today,
we thought it would make sense for us to focus on
what's going on in our own back (or front) yards.
This is the third year for Chicago's PrideFest and
there are some people who don't even know about it.
The President of the North Halsted Merchants Association,
or NAMA if you perfer, was happy to take a few minutes
to elaborate on this years event and the organization.

How has Pridefest developed into what it is today?
This is our 3rd Annual Pridefest and hope this will be the biggest and best yet. Over the last two years we noticed that the event would indeed grow each year. The most important thing in our mind that it did not become a smaller version of Market Days. Don't get me wrong, Market Days is a fantastic, event but we wanted PrideFest to go a little different direction.

 

What was the reason to have a Chicago Pridefest?
There are two reasons for PrideFest. One reason as a business organization (North Halsted Area Merchant Association), it is important for our organization to be there for all of our members. With Market Days being held between Addison and Belmont some of the business north of Addison, might have felt a little left out. So we found the perfect solution to bring some business north of Addison with a whole different event. The second reason is that the organization feels that Chicago should be second to no one in celebrating Pride Weekend. We were one of the few major cities in the country that did not go all out with a Pride Weekend. Richard Pffier and his team does a great job organizing the parade which takes a lot of energy out of one group. We felt working with Richard we could add some more to the weekend with out adding more burden to his team. Thus PrideFest was born.

What can we expect from Pridefest this year?
Pridefest is Saturday June 25 from 11am to 9pm. between Waveland and Bradley on Halsted. Like last year, there will be a lot retail and food vendors. The event is sponsored by Budwieiser, so plan to take care of your thirst buds at one of our 6 bar locations at the feast. This year we have included an area for not-for profit organizations to promote themselves and we have also developed a stage, showcasing local Gay & Lesbian talent. The main stage will be geared for dancing with DJ Lady Bunny and Circuit Mom and featured artist RuPaul who's performance is around 4:00 p.m.

Can you tell us about the North Halsted Merchants Association?
When you think of North Halsted Area Merchants Association (NAMA) you always think of Market Days. But believe me NAMA is more then Market Days. Although Market Days is a two day event, NAMA is around 365 days a year working and providing a safe and beautiful area for their members and the many visitors who come to eat, drink and shop our area. Many people ask what NAMA does with the money we take in at Market Days. Much of the money is spent on the up-keep of the area. This would include plants and flowers for the planters on the street. We hire people to clean our sidewalks weekly, not to mention power washing once or twice a year. There is up keep on the rainbow pylons and we don't want to forget the beautiful banners and flags that brighten up our streets all year round. This is just few things that we need money for to maintain our street. NAMA is also a contributor for the Center On Halsted and also sponsors events like Halsted Tastes Better, the Halloween Parade, and the Holiday Walk.

What are the plans for future Pridefests?
We will take a look this event each year and make changes as needed. Our goal is to help make our Pride Weekend one of the best in the country.

What else do you want our readers to know?
For all your readers, rather you plan to attend our Pridefest, or just coming in for the Parade, party sensible and be safe. We want you around for years to come!