Necklaces with Mardi Gras beads seemed commonplace, too. First, of course, the parade was much shorter. I watched from a mid-way point and the last entrant had reached me an hour and a half later. Second, there seemed to be less skin. Sure seems that many entrants in the Chicago Pride Parade – from Sidetrack and most other Boystown bars, to Phoenix Bar & Nightclub from north suburban Elk Grove Village, and many others – are heavy on the scantily-clad float-riders. Skin is in – in Chicago, seems to be the local motto. Third, the Miami Beach Pride Parade featured a horse-drawn carriage, with two horses. (Wish I saw who the entrant was, and how the horses tied in, but I didn't.) Whistles seemed to be the thing, as so many parade entrants seemed to be chirping away.
The 2017 edition, held April 7-9, culminated with a 90-minute parade that was noticeably different from the Chicago Pride Parade. just don't wear any snazzy, high-dollar shoes. Miami Beach Gay Pride – a three-day, rainbow-filled, love-fest – is a fun, sun-soaked celebration of all things LGBT.
