Want to Be a Patch Correspondent for the Blackhawks Parade?

Memo

To: St. Charles fans going to see the Blackhawks' parade in Chicago on Friday

From: St. Charles Patch Editor Ted Schnell

Date: June 27, 2013 (Date of the request. The parade is Friday.)

Re: Help Cover the Blackhawks for St. Charles Patch!

If you're planning to go to Chicago to see the Blackhawks celebrate their second Stanley Cup in four years, and you're with St. Charles folks, and you've got a cool story or some pictures or some video, would you post on St. Charles Patch?

It's really easy to do now. Just go to St. Charles Patch.com, click on the green "Post" button under "Boards" on the homepage. Click, post and go.

All you need is a headline, some text (try to get a St. Charles angle, mention folks from St. Charles who are with you, their reaction), click on "Add Photo/Video" and click the "Announcement" category. It will post straight to the home page.

Option B: Post on the St. Charles Facebook page.

Option C: Email me a photo and caption info at ted.schnell@patch.com.

I'd love to be there celebrating with you, but sadly, I've got to work. If you've freed up enough time to celebrate, won't you share some of the celebration with all of St. Charles?

Basic Info About the Parade and Rally

The party will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2013 at Hutchinson Field in Grant Park. Before that, the Hawks will parade along Washington Street, starting at Des Plaines Street and going to Wabash Street.

RALLY

There will be two public entrances to the rally, located at Jackson and Michigan and Congress and Michigan. To accommodate the anticipated crowds, a jumbotron will be positioned at the side of the stage for enhanced viewing of the program and team, and additional jumbotrons will be set up on Columbus at Balbo and at Congress to accommodate the crowd.

PARADE ROUTE

The official parade route begins at Des Plaines and Washington streets and proceed east until Wabash Street. Fans who want to catch the downtown parade are encouraged to see them along this route.

From there, the motorcade will proceed east to Michigan Avenue; then north to Randolph Street; then east along Randolph to Columbus Drive.

Fans also may attend the parade route along Columbus Drive, between Monroe and Balbo streets, heading south.

TRANSPORTATION

1. Streets along the parade route and in the Loop could be shut down by 8 a.m. and access to many parking garages could be restricted. Advice is don't drive.

2. Double-decker buses featuring the team and front office personnel will ride to the rally beginning about 10:30 a.m. from the United Center.

3. Metra offers special $5 ticket and adds service for Hawks rally. Bikes and alcohol to be banned on all trains Friday.

Metra will be adding service on most of its lines and offering a special one-day only $5 unlimited ride ticket to accommodate Chicago Blackhawks fans attending the downtown parade and rally on Friday, June 28, 2013, to celebrate the team’s success in winning the 2013 Stanley Cup.

Take the West Line from Geneva, and get your tickets in advance. Detailed on service information is available at www.transitchicago.com.

STREET CLOSURES

All east/west streets between Roosevelt Road to Randolph Street from Michigan Avenue to Lake Shore Drive will be closed for the celebration beginning at 12 a.m. They include Balbo Avenue, Jackson Street and Monroe Street, but Congress will remain open.

Motorists should anticipate additional street closures as necessary due to crowd size to ensure the public safety of pedestrians and parade attendees.

WEATHER

The weather forecast for Friday is 77 degrees with a chance of rain. Fans are encouraged to dress accordingly and make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day.

RANDOM ADVICE

Additionally, the Chicago Police Department reminds attendees that anyone carrying a backpack or large bag must undergo additional screening. Coolers are not allowed into the rally and that there will be zero tolerance for drinking alcohol on the public way.