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Photo: All of North Michigan Avenue is a stage

8-Sep-09 – Michigan Avenue was closed to vehicles on Tuesday from Wacker Drive five blocks north to Ohio Street as The Oprah Winfrey Show taped its 24th season premier. As the show started at about 5 p.m., Chicago Police estimated the crowd at between 13,000 and 17,000.

Later crowd estimates were more than 20,000 people. The show taped on Tuesday will air on Thursday.

(Click on any image to view a larger version.)

Photo by Steven Dahlman Photo by Steven Dahlman

(Above) In this photo, looking north from Wacker Drive, The Black Eye Peas have just finished performing.

(Left) Television news trucks parked on Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago to cover taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Goodyear Blimp visible in upper right corner.

Photo by Steven Dahlman Photo by Steven Dahlman

(Far left) Under the watchful eye of the Goodyear Blimp, The Oprah Winfrey Show tapes its 24th season premier on Tuesday, taking over North Michigan Avenue from Wacker Drive (foreground) to Ohio Street. At left, Wrigley Building. At right, Tribune Tower.

(Near left) Wider view.

(Near right) Michigan Avenue was closed from Wacker Drive north five blocks to Ohio Street. In this photo, the Michigan Avenue bridge leads to back of stage set for The Oprah Winfrey Show. Tribune Tower at right. In distance, John Hancock Center.

(Far right) A Chicago Police officer stands on the south end of a mostly empty Michigan Avenue bridge.

Photo by Steven Dahlman Photo by Steven Dahlman

Photo by Steven Dahlman Photo by Steven Dahlman
West side of Michigan Avenue bridge. Marina City resident Vincent Falk is visible in lower right corner, preparing to dance for the amusement of tour boats. East side of Michigan Avenue bridge.