Seattle Pride activities are taking place all weekend “to honor all who will continue the fight for equality,” and in mourning and solidarity with the Orlando victims.
Seattle celebrates Pride weekend with festivities featuring the Seattle Pride Parade downtown Sunday, June 26. “Future of Pride” is the theme of this year’s parade, “to honor all who will continue the fight for equality” for the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) community. In mourning and solidarity with victims of violence in Orlando, Fla., the board of directors of Seattle Pride says, “More than ever, we are reminded to continue our fight for justice, to stand together, and be proud of our community … organizing and celebrating our Pride, this month and always.”
Seattle Pride Parade
Time: 11 a.m. Sunday, June 26
Location: Fourth Avenue from Union Street to Denny Way, Seattle
More info: seattlepride.org/events/parade
PrideFest
Time: Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 26
Location: Seattle Center, Seattle
More info:seattlepridefest.org
Capitol Hill Pride Festival
Time: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 25.
Location: Broadway between East John Street and Roy Street, Seattle
Doggie Drag Contest: Noon Saturday, register 10 a.m. to noon, $5 suggested donation
More info:capitolhillpridefestival.info
Capitol Hill Pride
Time: Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 25
Location: Capitol Hill Light Rail Station and Denny Way, Seattle
More info: seattlepridefest.org/caphill
Family Pride/Queer Youth Pride
Time: Family Pride, 1 to 4 p.m.; Queer Youth Pride, 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 25
Location: Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave., Seattle
More info:seattlepridefest.org/prideguide
Seattle Dyke March
Rally, March: Rally, 5 p.m., march, 7 p.m. Saturday, June 25, Seattle Central College, 1701 Broadway, Seattle
AfterParty: 8 p.m., Cal Anderson Park, Seattle
More info:seattledykemarch.com
TransPride Seattle
Time: Assemble 5 p.m., march 6 p.m. Friday; entertainment, speakers, 7-10 p.m. Friday, June 24
Location: Broadway and East John Street to Cal Anderson Park, Seattle
More info:transprideseattle.org/schedule-route
Updates from the 2016 Downtown Pride Parade:
Seattle Pride Parade includes dozens of community groups, Dykes on Bikes, Seafair princesses and commodores, and grand marshals including El Centro de la Raza, retiring Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus conductor Dennis Coleman, Seattle Area Support Groups & Community Centerand The Court of Seattle Organization. Happy crowds of spectators start gathering early and beer gardens and food trucks at three locations along the route are open from 9:30 a.m. through the end of the parade. The celebration continues Sunday at Seattle Center PrideFest with entertainment on three stages, vendors and activities.
Saturday’s big event is the Capitol Hill Pride Festival June 25, with a Wizard of Oz theme (“there’s no place like home”), celebrating diversity and community pride with music, food, entertainment and activities along Broadway, starting with a march welcoming all ages and all orientations to join in, handmade signs welcome. Following the march, the Hands Across Broadway Memorial on the Main Stage at 11 a.m. honors the victims of the Orlando shooting by inviting all to join in unity, holding hands along the length of the festival on Broadway.
Several blocks of Broadway are closed to traffic for Capitol Hill Pride Festival vendors, entertainment and events, featuring the Doggie Drag Costume Contest to benefit Seattle Humane Society’s Pet Project. Prizes are awarded for Best in Show, Best Wizard of Oz theme, Drag Queen’s Favorite and Owner-Dog Look Alike. If your pet doesn’t have a costume, Seattle Humane has some available for a donation, and their MaxMobile will be on hand with dogs and cats for adoption.
Seattle Pride also hosts Capitol Hill Pride Saturday, a festival with entertainment, food trucks and a beer garden, and Family Pride with activities for kids and families and Queer Youth Pride activities, entertainment and spoken-word events Saturday at Cal Anderson Park.