Memorial day is IML in Chicago.

For 30 years now, Chicago has been the host to IML which stands for International Mr. Leather. It is primarily a gay mans event but some ladies do participate. Leather enthusiast all over the world (mostly North America and Europe) gather to Chicago on Memorial Day weekend to celebrate their love for leather and the leather lifestyle. It is not only all about leather, some fetishes like S&M, Daddies/son, piercing, tattoos, uniforms and sports outfits are also celebrated. For this IML, Hyatt Regency Chicago is again the host hotel. There are events, booths, demonstrations and socialization going on in the hotel for the 4-5 days of the event starting Thursday till Monday. The event organizer usually buys out a big chunk of the hotel rooms for the IML participants. Some portion of the hotel will be block off to the general public and there will be signs warning the unsuspecting guest of the possible "shockers" they might encounter in the hotel premisses. Definitely not a sight for little Suzie and little Michael with their Baptist parents from Peducah Kentucky to behold. Of course the gay leather bars (Eagle, Touche and Cell block) in Chicago will entertain to the max of their capacity guests all over the world. Usually these bars are never filled to the point that you could barely move around inside but during IML they are. Bus loads of leather daddies, masters, slaves, bears and otters will be transported to and from the bars and host hotel. And let me just say that "unmentionable" things do occur in these bars during IML. Other regular gay bars will have leather themed events going on too during that weekend. On top of those things happening in the bars and host hotel, there are circuit dance events going on too and of course the International Mr. Leather contest. Ah definitely a holiday weekend for me to stay in Chicago.
(pic from the IML website)