Tag: Parade

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San Diego Pride kicked off weekend events with parade, festival

San Diego Pride kicked off weekend events with parade, festival

As San Diego Pride Week continues, thousands of residents partook in the return of the annual in-person Pride Parade and Festival in Balboa Park Saturday.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria marched in the parade, which began at 10 a.m. at the Hillcrest Pride Flag, 1500 University Ave. Gloria is the first openly LGBTQ person to be elected mayor of San Diego.

“Pride brings us together in times of protest, mourning, victory and celebration,” said Fernando Lopez, San Diego Pride executive director. “Pride helps connect us to community and our found family. Pride gives us access to life-saving direct services and provides grant funding to our local and global LGBTQ community.

“I’m inspired by the thought of our community coming together again,” he continued. “Together we will continue to pursue justice with joy.”

Weekend events kicked off at 8 a.m. with the San Diego Pride 5k Walk/Run on Saturday, which began at the corner of Centre and University Avenue in Hillcrest. Last year, despite the pandemic, more than 1,300 runners and walkers from around the world participated and raised $24,000 for SD Pride’s charity partners.

San Diego Pride’s Parade and Festival is the fourth largest such event in the nation, event organizers said, and hosted more than 350,000 attendees in 2019. Past festivals have featured headliners such as Kesha, TLC, Melissa Etheridge, and En Vogue.

In 2020, San Diego Pride held the first Pride Live where 400,000 people tuned in to celebrate the LGBTQ community. In 2021, San Diego Pride held over 40 hybrid virtual and in-person events, with more than 100,000 attendees throughout Pride week.

Since its founding, San Diego Pride has granted over three million dollars back to the local and international LGBTQ+ community from the revenue generated by the annual events.

“LGBTQ diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our efforts to invite people to our vibrant city because when people feel welcome, they want to visit,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority. “That is why we are so excited San Diego Pride is scheduled to return in 2022. It will highlight our friendly, inclusive spirit while attracting visitors to our hotels, restaurants, and cultural attractions and boosting our local tourism economy.”

The parade ends at Laurel Street, where the entrance to the Pride Festival is located. The two-day festival begins at 11 a.m. in Balboa Park, with live music on four stages, including Ashnikko, Baby Tate, Daya and Snow Tha Product.

The complete lineup consists of more than 100 LGBTQ+ entertainers, organizers said.

“Our goal at this year’s Pride Festival is to predominantly feature our fiercely talented local LGBTQ community,” Lopez said. “We are thrilled to come together again for our first in-person Pride Festival in three years, where our artists and entertainers help us be seen, be heard, find family, raise funds, build capacity, and carve out the space for us all to be unapologetically our true, authentic selves.”

The 2022 San Diego Pride Festival and related events are underway this weekend amid an uptick of public health and safety concerns.

The festival also includes educational and art exhibits, vendors, interactive cultural presentations, local food, HIV testing, children and youth areas and more.

“We are still fighting for justice and that takes away from our joy,” said Mila Jam, one of Saturday’s performer and a Black and transgender advocate. “We need each other now more than ever to stand strong and see liberation through.”

The San Diego Public Library will get in on the fun as well, releasing a limited-edition library card with a design created by Crawford High School student Leslie Pagel. It features an illustration of Marsha Johnson in front of New York City’s Stonewall Inn. Johnson was a gay and trans rights activist and one of the prominent figures in the Stonewall uprising of 1969.

“I wanted to honor her and the work she did for the community,” Pagel said. “She was alive during a time when trans people were heavily misunderstood, yet they were the ones to carry much of the community’s fight towards liberation.”

The library will have a booth at the Pride Festival. More information can be found at www.sandiego.gov/public-library/lgbt.

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Surrounding Suburbs Cancel 4th of July Events in Wake of Highland Park Parade Shooting

Surrounding Suburbs Cancel 4th of July Events in Wake of Highland Park Parade Shooting

Multiple northern Chicago suburbs canceled Fourth of July events following a mass shooting along the Highland Park Independence Day Parade route Monday.

Glencoe officials said the village was canceling its Fourth of July parade as the city urged residents to “remain home” with the “threat still at large.”

“There have been no incidents or direct threats to Glencoe. Public Safety are monitoring the situation and recommend avoiding public and crowded areas at this time,” the village tweeted.

Glenview police announced around 11 a.m. that the town’s Fourth of July Parade was canceled “out of an abundance of caution.”

“There have been no incidents or direct threats to Glenview,” the department tweeted, adding that police were clearing the parade area, but the town’s fireworks display is still expected to take place Monday evening.

Nearby Deerfield announced its Family Days activities at Jewett Park were cleared and the parade in the town was canceled.

Evanston police said its holiday celebrations were canceled “effective immediately” due to the “tragic mass shooting.”

“While there is no known threat to Evanston residents, the shooter is still at large; therefore, cancelations are taking place in an abundance of caution,” the suburb stated in an alert. “Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors to the north.”

Northbrook announced its holiday activities, including the bike parade, mile-long parade and fireworks show were all canceled.

“Our thoughts are with our Highland Park neighbors,” the suburb said in an alert to residents.

Morton Grove also announced its parade was canceled Monday.

The public is being asked to avoid downtown Highland Park Monday as police respond to a shooting “in the area of the Independence Day parade route,” the Lake County Sheriff posted on Twitter.

“STAY OUT OF THE AREA – allow law-enforcement and first responders to do their work,” the sheriff posted.

Illinois State Police said the shooting situation is “active.”

“The Illinois State Police is currently assisting Highland Park PD with an active shoot situation that occurred at the Highland Park Parade,” police tweeted. “The public is advised to avoid the area of Central Ave and 2nd St. in Highland Park.”

According to multiple reports on Twitter, gunshots were heard at Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade. Further details were not immediately confirmed by police.

The city of Highland Park also urged people to avoid the area.

“Fourth Fest has been canceled. Please avoid downtown Highland Park. More information will be shared as it becomes available,” the north suburban Chicago town posted.

This is a breaking news story. Check back as details emerge.

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Kiddie Parade rolls along Lake Boulevard as Water Carnival events continue

Kiddie Parade rolls along Lake Boulevard as Water Carnival events continue

BEMIDJI — Wagons, bikes, rollerblades, scooters and toy cars decorated in red, white and blue were on display as children made their way down Lake Boulevard for a Kiddie Parade on Saturday morning during the Bemidji Jaycees’ 78th Annual Water Carnival.

Registration began at 10 a.m. with the parade starting at BSU’s Bangsberg Hall parking lot on 12th Street, continuing down Lake Boulevard onto Sixth Street and ending at the entertainment tent at the waterfront.

Following the parade, there were a handful of activities for children of all ages in the entertainment tent, featuring a Headwaters Science Center presentation.

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Children ride along Lake Boulevard in a toy car decked out in red, white and blue for a Kiddie Parade on Saturday, July 2, 2022, during the Bemidji Jaycees’ 78th Annual Water Carnival.

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

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A family makes their way down Lake Boulevard for a Kiddie Parade on Saturday, July 2, 2022, during the Bemidji Jaycees’ 78th Annual Water Carnival.

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

Remaining events for the Water Carnival include:
The entertainment tent at the Lake Bemidji waterfront will be open from 5 p.m. to midnight through July 3. There will be daily happy hours from 5 to 7 p.m., along with live music events each evening.

4onthefloor

will play from 9 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, and gates open at 8 p.m. Admission price is $10. Attendees are required to be 21 years and older for this event.

Corey Medina & Brothers

will take the stage from 8 p.m. to midnight on Sunday, July 3. The admission price is one water carnival button.

The Grand Parade will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 3. It will start at the intersection of 15th Street and Beltrami Avenue and travel south on Beltrami Avenue, turn west on Fifth Street for one block and then head north along Minnesota Avenue, ending again on 15th Street.

The Bald Eagle Water Ski Show will start at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, at the Lake Bemidji waterfront in Library Park.

The 5K Color Run is Monday, July 4, with check-in starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Rotary Pavilion in Paul Bunyan Park, and the run starting at 10 a.m. It will begin in the Paul Bunyan Park parking lot and go along the south shore of Lake Bemidji, loop back at the Nymore Boat Access and end at the starting point.

The Red, White and Boom fireworks display, presented by Hill’s Plumbing and Heating, will be held at dusk, usually around 9:45 to 10:15 p.m., on Monday, July 4, on the southwest end of Lake Bemidji.

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Children ride along Lake Boulevard in a toy car decked out in red, white and blue for a Kiddie Parade on Saturday, July 2, 2022, during the Bemidji Jaycees’ 78th Annual Water Carnival.

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

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Children ride and throw out candy to parade-goers alongside Lake Boulevard at a Kiddie Parade on Saturday, July 2, 2022, during the Bemidji Jaycees’ 78th Annual Water Carnival.

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

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Kiddie Parade participants make their way down Lake Boulevard on Saturday, July 2, 2022, during the Bemidji Jaycees’ 78th Annual Water Carnival.

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

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A child picks up candy alongside Lake Boulevard at the Kiddie Parade on Saturday, July 2, 2022, during the Bemidji Jaycees’ 78th Annual Water Carnival.

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

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Children wave and throw candy to Kiddie Parade-goers on Saturday, July 2, 2022, during the Bemidji Jaycees’ 78th Annual Water Carnival.

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

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Children ride and throw candy to parade-goers alongside Lake Boulevard at a Kiddie Parade on Saturday, July 2, 2022, during the Bemidji Jaycees’ 78th Annual Water Carnival.

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

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Children ride along Lake Boulevard in a toy car decked out in red, white and blue for a Kiddie Parade on Saturday, July 2, 2022, during the Bemidji Jaycees’ 78th Annual Water Carnival.

Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

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2022 Chicago Pride Events: Pride Parade, Pride in the Park, Navy Pier Pride and More

2022 Chicago Pride Events: Pride Parade, Pride in the Park, Navy Pier Pride and More

More than a million people are expected at Chicago’s annual Pride Parade Sunday, but it’s not the only Pride celebration taking place this weekend.

Here’s what to know about the Parade if you plan to go, as well as other Pride events and celebrations taking place across the city this weekend.

Navy Pier Pride: Saturday

From noon to 11:30 p.m., Navy Pier’s annual free, outdoor pride celebration showcases storytelling, performances from local LGBTQIA+ artists including the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, educational programs and more.

The event concludes with fireworks, which take place every Wednesday and Saturday evenings at Navy Pier.

Here’s more information.

Back Lot Bash: Saturday and Sunday

Along Clark Street, this Pride weekend-long event will include whiskey tasting, a drag festival, live music and more.

The event takes place Saturday beginning at 3 p.m., and continues through Sunday at 9 p.m.

Tickets begin at $20 per day, or $30 for a two-day pass.

Pride in The Park: Saturday and Sunday

Pride in The Park, an outdoor music festival and immersive pride experience in Grant Park, also takes place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday.

Headliners include The Chainsmokers and Alesso, and performances include singer/songwriter Daya, rapper and television personality Saucy Santana, DJ and producer J. Worra, YouTube sensation Rebecca Black, as well as performances by RuPaul’s Drag Race Winners Shea Couleé, Monet x Change and Priyanka.

Here’s the full lineup for each day.

Pride in The Park takes place at Butler Field at Grant Park on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Butler Field at Grant Park in downtown Chicago, at 100 S. Lakeshore Drive.

Single day tickets start at $45, and tickets for both days start at $95. More information can be found here.

2022 Chicago Pride Parade: Sunday

When and Where

Chicago’s 51st annual Pride Parade steps off Sunday at noon at Montrose Ave. and Broadway in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood and winds through the north side of the city. It ends in Lincoln Park near the intersection of Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road., organizers say.

The busiest portion of the parade route tends to be in North Halsted between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street, according to organizers.

Here’s a map of the route.

“For the liveliest viewing spots, head to the Boystown section of North Halsted Street, between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street,” parade organizers say. “If you are seeking a less crowded area to view the parade, look for your viewing spots north of Irving Park Road, along Broadway or further along Broadway between Belmont Avenue and Diversey Parkway.”

Pride Parade Street Closures

Street closures begin as early as 8 a.m. Sunday and include Montrose, Irving Park and Wellington at Broadway and Addison, Grace and Roscoe at Halsted. 

Pride Parade Security

In terms of security Chicago officials say they are prepared, and have no known threats at this time. “We are expecting large crowds for the Pride Parade as we do every year, and I want to encourage everyone attending to safely enjoy the celebration throughout the day,” Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management said Tuesday during a press conference.

“Although there are no known threats at this time, each year Chicago public safety departments along with parade organizers adjust the already robust security plan to ensure the safety of personnel participants, spectators residents and all those in the area.”

During a press conference Wednesday, Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said “We’ve added more staffing to this year’s pride than we’ve had in the past. We’ve had more coordination with businesses and other stakeholders in the planning process for Pride Parade than we have in the past.

“We are obviously planning for the worst, hoping for the best,” he continued. “We have extraordinary dedicated resources to this year’s Pride — more than has ever been committed.”

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2022 Chicago Pride Events: What to Know About This Weekend’s Chicago’s Pride Parade, Pride in The Park

2022 Chicago Pride Events: What to Know About This Weekend's Chicago's Pride Parade, Pride in The Park

One of Chicago’s biggest summer weekends is coming up, with the city’s Pride in the Park festival beginning Saturday, and the annual Pride Parade Sunday.

Both are expected to draw large crowds to the city, with music, events and more.

Here’s what to know about each event.

2022 Chicago Pride Parade: When and Where

Chicago’s 51st annual Pride Parade steps off Sunday at noon at Montrose Ave. and Broadway in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood and winds through the north side of the city. It ends in Lincoln Park near the intersection of Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road., organizers say.

The busiest portion of the parade route tends to be in North Halsted between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street, according to organizers.

Here’s a map of the route.

“For the liveliest viewing spots, head to the Boystown section of North Halsted Street, between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street,” parade organizers say. “If you are seeking a less crowded area to view the parade, look for your viewing spots north of Irving Park Road, along Broadway or further along Broadway between Belmont Avenue and Diversey Parkway.”

Pride Parade Street Closures

Street closures begin as early as 8 a.m. Sunday and include Montrose, Irving Park and Wellington at Broadway and Addison, Grace and Roscoe at Halsted. 

Pride Parade Security

In terms of security Chicago officials say they are prepared, and have no known threats at this time. “We are expecting large crowds for the Pride Parade as we do every year, and I want to encourage everyone attending to safely enjoy the celebration throughout the day,” Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management said Tuesday during a press conference.

“Although there are no known threats at this time, each year Chicago public safety departments along with parade organizers adjust the already robust security plan to ensure the safety of personnel participants, spectators residents and all those in the area.”

During a press conference Wednesday, Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said “We’ve added more staffing to this year’s pride than we’ve had in the past. We’ve had more coordination with businesses and other stakeholders in the planning process for Pride Parade than we have in the past.

“We are obviously planning for the worst, hoping for the best,” he continued. “We have extraordinary dedicated resources to this year’s Pride — more than has ever been committed.”

Pride in The Park: When and Where

Pride in The Park, an outdoor music festival and immersive pride experience in Grant Park, also takes place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday.

Headliners include The Chainsmokers and Alesso, and performances include singer/songwriter Daya, rapper and television personality Saucy Santana, DJ and producer J. Worra, YouTube sensation Rebecca Black, as well as performances by RuPaul’s Drag Race Winners Shea Couleé, Monet x Change and Priyanka.

Here’s the full lineup for each day.

Pride in The Park takes place at Butler Field at Grant Park on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Butler Field at Grant Park in downtown Chicago, at 100 S. Lakeshore Drive.

Single day tickets start at $45, and tickets for both days start at $95. More information can be found here.

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Manitoba premier banned from future Pride events after absence from parade | CBC News

Manitoba premier banned from future Pride events after absence from parade | CBC News

Premier Heather Stefanson will not be invited to participate in future Winnipeg Pride events after she didn’t walk in the parade Sunday, which the organizer’s president says insulted an entire community.

After former Manitoba premier Brian Pallister spoke at a Pride rally without participating in the parade 2019, Pride organizers implemented a policy that any leaders invited to speak must also walk in the parade.

After multiple meetings with her staff, it was determined that the new premier could speak before the parade, which she did.

Organizers say they were told she would walk at least two-thirds of the route after her speech, but she did not.

Pride president Barry Karlenzig says he feels like they were lied to for a photo opportunity.

“Why is that team telling me one thing, and then the premier has the audacity to pull exactly what the previous premier did?” Karlenzig said.

“Even after multiple meetings with that office saying this cannot happen or they will not be allowed to walk. So now they’ve done what we told them not to do. She’s not invited next year. Period.”

Premier apologizes

In a statement, Stefanson said she was unable to join the parade due to scheduling conflicts, and there was a miscommunication between her staff and the organizers.

“I want to sincerely apologize to Pride Winnipeg and the 2SLGBTQ+ community for not being able to join in the march portion of Sunday’s events,” she said.

“I hope this mistake is an opportunity to forge a new path forward based on respect and shared goals to build a more inclusive and prosperous Manitoba.”

Pressed about her lack of participation after a news conference Thursday, Stefanson said she was never told that walking in the parade was a requirement of speaking at the rally.

“I was not aware of that. Had I been, I would have been there,” she said. 

Stefanson said she had three events planned for the day of the parade, and was double-booked. 

She said following the Pride rally, she attended a community event at Maples Community Centre with members of the Sikh community. She couldn’t recall what time it started, but said she didn’t want to leave the parade halfway through and be disrespectful. 

The premier said she looks forward to meeting with the Pride Winnipeg executive and hopes they can repair the relationship. 

Karlenzig said he spoke Wednesday evening to a senior staff member who said the oversight was his fault, but the Pride president said he holds the premier responsible.

A spokesperson for the premier clarified that it was a senior strategic adviser that Karlenzig spoke with, not Stefanson’s chief of staff, as Karlenzig originally said.

Other politicians did walk in the parade, including Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman and Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew, along with MLAs from the Progressive Conservatives, NDP and Manitoba Liberal Party.

Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew and members of the Manitoba NDP walk in Sunday’s Pride Parade in Winnipeg. (Walther Bernal/CBC)

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman walks in the Sunday Pride Parade. (Walther Bernal/CBC)

Manitoba Liberal Party Leader Dougald Lamont was not able to attend as he was recovering from COVID-19. 

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Pride Week to have events all week culminating in Pride Parade

Pride Week to have events all week culminating in Pride Parade
Daily Herald File Photo The Prince Albert Pride Parade makes it way towards the E.A. Rawlinson Centre parking lot in this file photo from 2021.

It’s Pride Week in Prince Albert and Prince Albert Pride is planning ways to celebrate throughout the week culminating in the annual Pride Parade.

Prince Albert Pride is also putting the finishing touches on their Safe Spaces Campaign.

LJ Tyson, co-chair of Prince Albert Pride, described the parade as the flagship event for the week with

all of the events building up to Saturday.

“The parade is obviously a tradition that has been followed in Pride organizations and in social movements since the beginning of forever,” Tyson said.

“It’s a demonstration. It’s a way to show that the queer community is present and here in Prince Albert. It’s a way for our allies to show that they are committed to supporting the community, and honestly it’s just a fun colourful celebration.”

Organizers have added a caravan this year which will traverse the east side of the city on June 11 starting at the EA Rawlinson Centre at 1pm (line-up at 12:30pm), and ending at the Court of Queens Bench for the walking/vehicle parade. The walking/driving Parade will leave at 1:30 p.m. from the Court of Queen’s Bench and end at Kinsmen Park.

The week officially opened with drumming at the riverbank on Sunday afternoon, after organizers announced the Safe Spaces campaign on Facebook on Saturday.

The Safe Spaces Campaign is a project that Prince Albert Pride is working on to create welcoming spaces for the queer community.

“We are hoping to start mapping out safe spaces in Prince Albert,” Tyson said. “What that means is that businesses would sign on to be considered a safe space and they would get to put the Prince Albert Pride logo at the front of their store. A progress flag will be at the front of their store just to let their customers know and the community know that they are a safe space for the queer community.”

Tyson explained that they are working through finalizing details to make sure the businesses that are named are genuinely safe spaces.

“What we announced was our intention for the Safe Spaces project, and of course we always welcome collaborators and the opinions of the community as we do with all of our project,” Tyson explained. “We just wanted to announce our intentions for this because it is such a massive undertaking for any little small Pride organization like ours. However, we feel like this is needed in the community of Prince Albert.”

Tyson said the campaign would help create a more comfortable shopping environment for the queer community, while also showing supporters where they can shop if they want to support a business that is 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly.

Events are already underway across Prince Albert as part of Pride Week. Monday evening was the Colour Your Pride event at the Mann Art Gallery. There is also a Queer Coffee at Smitty’s on Tuesday and by Zoom on Wednesday, both at 7 p.m.

The John M. Cuelenaere Public Library will be home to a Gaymer Night on Friday, June 10 at 6 p.m.

The Pride Parade is on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. with Pride in the Park to follow at 2 p.m.

There was originally a Youth Talent Show scheduled for Thursday but it has been postponed with a future date to be announced.

“It neatly wraps in a bow with the Calvary United Church Diversity Service, I think it’s a special way to end the week,” Tyson said.

The Diversity Service is at 10:30 am.

“We want the community to come and celebrate with us, whether they identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA + community or if they are allies,” Tyson said. “We just want to create fun events for everybody that are in a safe space, which goes back to our Safe Spaces Campaign. (It’s) great events and spaces for people to connect. Our theme this year is Connect, and we want to do that in a positive uplifting way.”

Tyson said he wanted to thank the community for all of the support ahead of the week.

“A huge thank you to all of our sponsors and volunteers, the board greatly appreciates it because there is no way this could happen without them,” he added.

Michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca

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