Mothers join together to to celebrate Mother’s Day with loved ones on Chicago’s Riverwalk

Maddie Champan, Contributing Writer • May 19, 2024

On Sunday, May 12, walking club Chicago Girls Who Walk hosted a Mother’s Day riverwalk to celebrate the holiday. The 1.5 mile walk began at the intersection of West Wacker Drive and West Lake Street and ended at Pioneer Court.

On Sunday, May 12, family members gathered together to celebrate Mother’s Day on Chicago’s Riverwalk, hosted by Chicago Girls Who Walk. This walking club hosts weekly events that allow participants to explore Chicago in a new way.

“We don’t have family in town, so I was thinking what can I do that feels a little special,” said Theresa Vandermeer, a participant at the May 12 event.

The 1.5 mile walk began at the intersection of West Wacker Drive and West Lake Street and ended at Pioneer Court for the Chicago Vintage Festival, where walkers purchased vintage and handmade goods from vendors.

On Sunday, May 12 vendors and customers gathered at Pioneer court to welcome riverwalk attendees. Booths were selling clothing, accessories, and handmade goods. (Maddie Chapman)

Girls Who Walk is a walking club with weekly events that allow participants to explore Chicago in a new way. Founder Micalia Marcinkomto started the group to bring the community together, according to the Girls Who Walk Facebook page.

Vandermeer said she had been seeing Girls Who Walk for a couple of months before deciding to participate.

“I thought that it sounded lovely to meet more women and people and do something that doesn’t feel too high pressure,” Vandermeer said.

Girls Who Walk organizers post their walks at the end of each month on their Instagram, TikTok and Facebook pages.