This weekend, Chicago is bracing for a bumper crop of parades and public events, and the city's emergency management is on high alert. The Polish Constitution Day Parade will kick things off Saturday with a substantial presence planned for traffic control—according to an announcement by Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC). The Polish Constitution Day Parade takes a proud march on May 4, stepping off at 11:30 A.M. from Balbo to Monroe, spectators are advised to heed the parking restrictions and expect potential delays.

Sunday follows suit with two major parades, the Cinco de Mayo Parade hits the streets at noon, beginning its colorful procession on Cermak from Damen to Marshall Blvd, and the St. Jude Police Memorial March, honoring fallen officers, starts its solemn procession at 8 A.M. with a fresh route this year, as stated on Chicago's official website. The Memorial March is to conclude with an interfaith service and a mass at the Holy Name Cathedral.

Chicago's bridges are also set to lift on Saturday, so motorists should prepare for a pause in their journeys, as the drift of boats signals the start of boating season. The OEMC encourages everyone to be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary. The Chicago OEMC app is recommended for locals and tourists alike—it's a valuable resource for real-time public safety updates, parade weather, and alerts, available for download through the Apple App and Google Play stores.

Parade-goers are reminded to check the weather before stepping out, there's no shortage of warnings and updates, be it through the local media or by way of the Chicago OEMC app, Local officials are not taking a back seat but are ready to release any pertinent alerts or notifications needed to keep attendees in the loop. To stay ahead of the game on weather conditions and emergencies, citizens can also sign up for the NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org, keeping everyone in the know while they enjoy the festive atmosphere.