It is with great honor and Pride that the members of the Northalsted Area Merchants Associations (NAMA) and those of us at BOI Magazine (the publisher of this Pride Fest Guide) extend a hearty welcome to all of you attending the 7th Annual Chicago Pride Fest, an event that has become a significant part of the city's 2009 GLBT Pride events and activities. On this 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots ­ the 1969 event in New York City that marked the start of the gay civil rights movement ­ we look forward to joining you in the various festivities that will demonstrate to the city, and to the world, our collective pride as a GLBT community.

One of the highlights of Pride in Chicago has been the very popular Pride Fest, which is presented by NAMA and which this year expands to a 2-day event on the northern end of Halsted Street in the Lakeview neighborhood (between Grace and Addison Streets). As you walk around this year's Pride Fest, we encourage you to use the Guide and refer to it often. It contains information about the various Pride Fest Vendors, a map to help you navigate around the festival area, and details about the exciting entertainment that's on tap.

As Pride Fest is part of Chicago's celebration of Pride, you will find plenty of information in the Guide about other Pride-related events in the city. The expanded Pride Planner (found on Page ??) lists many political, social and cultural events that are occurring in and around the city during June and into July while details of the 40th Annual Chicago Pride Parade can be found on page ??.

Finally, as you read through the Pride Fest Guide, we hope you'll take notice of the advertisers as well as the sponsors of Pride Fest and the businesses that make up NAMA. They all have contributed to make Pride Fest a meaningful, vibrant, and joyful experience for those who attend, and in turn we encourage you to patronize their businesses during the weekend and beyond.

Once again, NAMA and BOI Magazine welcome you all to the 2009 Chicago Pride Fest. We hope you have wonderful time!