CHICAGO (CBS) — The summer heat is here in full swing, and the timing couldn’t be better, just days before Chicago is set to fully re-open.

CBS 2’s Marissa Parra reports lot of people are hitting the beach this weekend to take advantage of the sunny skies and temperatures in the 90s.

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Beaches officially opened a week ago Friday, but beach weather hadn’t really arrived until this weekend.

The iconic 63rd Street Beach, also known as “Bongo Beach,” was packed on a scorching hot and sunny day, when Lake Michigan offered a nice frigid balance, with water temperatures still in the 50s.

After the city’s beaches were closed for more than a year because of the pandemic, the return of crowds is bringing good business to the restaurants and food stands nearby.

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Some people visiting the lakefront on Saturday said it was their first time at a beach in years

“It feels quite warm, kind of humid, but the sun is magnificent. So I’m glad to be alive, and enjoying life,” Jacquelyn Davis said.

“I didn’t think there would be so many people here. I was like, ‘Wow, all these people, where did they come from?’” Lemuel Alexander said.

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Consider it a delayed and unofficial start to summer in Chicago.

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