Suburban communities host festivals in celebration of Pride Month

Suburban communities across the Chicago area are celebrating Pride Month by holding different festivals and parades to mark the occasion.

Celebrations in Downers Grove attracted hundreds of people, with organizers noting this year drew the festival's largest crowds seen to date.

“Everyone is so happy to here to celebrate being themselves, to be part of a community that appreciates them and recognizes them for who they are,” Jodi Harap of Equality Downers Grove said.

The organization hosted Pride Fest at Fishel Park, calling for acceptance and unity while offering craft stations and community booths to help educate about causes supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

“We support initiatives such as the youth outlook drop-in center for LGBTQ youth here in Downers Grove,” Equality Downers Grove