46th Annual Pride Parade Caps Historic Week For LGBTQ Community

Updated 06/29/15 - 4:30 p.m.

(CBS) -- Chicago's 46th annual pride parade capped off an historic weekend for the LGBT community, following the Supreme Court's decision to legalize same-sex marriage.

WBBM's Mariam Sobh reports there were rainbows, balloons, flags and sparkles everywhere as folks celebrate the Pride Parade and the Supreme Court's decision allowing same-sex marriage in all 50 states.

More than a million people were estimated to have attended the festivities.

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Chicago), who has attended the Pride Parade every year since 1983, said it was the largest, happiest parade he's ever seen.

The parade lasted for more than three hours and started at Montrose and Broadway and headed south down Halsted to Belmont and then back on to Broadway before ending at Diversey and Sheridan.

Balloon octopuses? #PrideParade #ChicagoPride #Pride2015 pic.twitter.com/fQHN0Bi90j

— Nancy Harty (@newsnance) June 28, 2015

Country western singer Ty Herndon, who came out as gay last year, walked along the parade route with Mayor Rahm Emanuel greeting the crowds. Herndon was this year's Grand Marshal of the Pride Parade.

Several politicians were among those marching in the parade.

For 46th Ward Alderman James Cappleman, the Pride Parade has strong personal sentiment.

"For me and my husband Richard, this marks the day that we are fully equal in the eyes of the law," he said.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is a veteran of Pride Parades.

"This is my twenty-something Pride Parade, but this one is so special," she said.

The north suburban Democrat says she got goose bumps thinking about the Supreme Court decision last week. The ruling was also on the mind U.S. Senator Mark Kirk.

"The Supreme Court decision has made us much more free as Americans," Kirk said. "We can now associate with whomever and however we wish and it makes us much more free."

The parade and its huge crowds draw plenty of local, county and state politicians. Kirk points out he is the only Republican but says his presence shows the GOP is open to people of all persuasions.

The Stanley Cup also made an appearance at the parade.

A small disruption to the parade happened at Addison and Halsted when several protesters held a "die-in."

The small group wore t-shirts with #BlackOutPride" on the front. Members said they just wanted to raise awareness regarding the minority population within the LGBTQ community.

The parade featured added security and those caught drinking on the sidewalks could face a $1,000 fine.

Police said there were 15 arrests on misdemeanor charges, and one arrest for felony drunk driving. Three citations were issued for ordinance violations.