WICKER PARK — About 150 Prince fans joined "A Night of A Thousand Princes- Purple Walk" in Wicker Park Friday night to honor pop, funk and rock music legend Prince, who died on April 21.
Dressed in purple, fans gathered at the Wicker Park fountain, 1425 N. Damen Ave., danced to Prince music, and swapped favorite songs and memories with fellow "beautiful ones" before the procession.
The walk started around 9 p.m. and traveled south down Damen Avenue, east on Division Street, and north on Milwaukee Avenue.
The march ended with a dance party in front Crocodile, 1540 N. Milwaukee Ave. A participant held a speaker in the air above the crowd, as "Let's Go Crazy" floated down Milwaukee Ave, fans chanted along with the chorus.
The crowd cheered on fellow dancers who busted a move to honor the Purple One, including one fan dressed up as Prince's character from the movie "Purple Rain." Some fans held up signs during the walk, including Prince's iconic "Love Symbol," a unpronounceable symbol Prince used as his name during legal battles with his record label in the '90s.
Crocodile also hosted an after party for Prince fans who wanted to continue their purple reign Friday night.
"I'm sad, I'm heartbroken," said Laura Pederson, 40.
Friday was Pederson's third Prince memorial, having participated in a dance party at Beauty Bar and another tribute event at Promontory Point.
Several officers from the Shakespeare Police District (14th) escorted the fans, who were peaceful. Many brought children and dogs along with them.
"Oh yes, the Prince parade was fun but not unruly, said Derek Mullins, owner of Metamorph Tattoo who watched the march Friday night. "Many people came out to show their love and respect. It was good to see CPD there on foot, maybe eight total escorting the parade," Mullins said.
Liz Davison, 34, an Irving Park resident, described Prince as "a genius."
"I loved his intelligence, his creativity," said Davison, whose favorite Prince song is "If I Was Your Girlfriend."
Matt Churney, 56, a West Pilsen resident, said the walk had "a couple of nice moments."
"When people were dining outdoors, the guy on the bike with the stereo had to stop and we were able to gather and really celebrate to hear the music and be in solidarity. It was let's get together, let's consolidate, let's have unity," said Churney.
Churney, who was clubbing in the '80s and '90s in Chicago, recalled when every other song was either by Prince or David Bowie, who also died recently.
"Bowie and Prince, they owned the clubs. Without them, where would we have been?" Churney asked, adding that Friday's walk was a must-attend.
"This was one I did not want to miss. He meant so much to so many people," Churney said.
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