Chicago rolled out the blue-and-yellow carpet for one of its brightest stars. The Chicago Sky honored hometown legend and WNBA icon Candace Parker with a citywide, three-day celebration that culminated in the retirement of her No. 3 jersey and a breathtaking drone show that lit up the night sky.
The festivities kicked off Saturday night, August 23, with fireworks at Navy Pier and a special Ferris wheel illumination in Parker’s honor. On Sunday and Monday, iconic Chicago buildings glowed in Sky colors, painting the skyline in tribute to a hometown hero who has given her city so much.
“This weekend is more than a jersey retirement, it’s a celebration of Candace’s legacy, her roots in Chicago, and the generations she continues to inspire,” said Tania Haladner, Chicago Sky Chief Marketing Officer. “From the lakefront to the skyline, the city will shine for her.”
The centerpiece of the celebration came on Monday, August 25. At Wintrust Arena, the Chicago Sky officially retired Parker’s jersey during a heartfelt halftime ceremony. But the evening’s finale truly took the tribute to another level: a 15-minute drone show at Northerly Island, where hundreds of glowing drones formed Parker’s No. 3 jersey and lifted it high above the lakefront. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment that cemented Parker’s place among Chicago’s sporting greats.
- Saturday, August 23, 10PM: Navy Pier lit up the sky with blue and yellow fireworks and a special ferris wheel illumination dedicated to Parker.
- Sunday, August 24 & Monday, August 25: Iconic buildings were lit up in Chicago Sky blue and yellow, showing what the hometown hero means to her city.
- Monday, August 25th: At Wintrust Arena, the Chicago Sky officially retired Parker’s jersey in a special halftime ceremony.
- Monday Night (Finale): After the game, a 15-minute drone show at Northerly Island lit up the sky with Parker’s No. 3 jersey: an unforgettable, first-of-its-kind tribute cementing her place among Chicago’s greatest athletes.
For creative partner BarkleyOKRP, it was a chance to tell Parker’s story in the sky. “Candace grew up here, won a WNBA championship here, and made history here,” said Javier Valle, VP, Creative Director at BarkleyOKRP. “By lifting her No. 3 above Chicago, we’re not just honoring her career, we’re making her legacy part of the skyline. It’s more than a tribute, it’s a thank you, from the city and Chicagoland area.”
From fireworks to Ferris wheels and a sky full of drones, the weekend was a love letter, as The Chicago Sky honored hometown legend Candace Parker, a player who gave Chicago her heart, and in return, made sure hers will forever shine above it.
ALSO READ:
Chicago Sky’s brand films are an ode to Chicago
