PRIDE
Show Your
at the Annapolis Pride Parade
By Liza Roe
WHO IS INVITED? EVERYONE. Christine Feldmann sits on the board of Annapolis Pride and says, “One of the best parts of the event is seeing the families...mom, dad and their middle-school-aged child really embracing who they are – supporting their kid.” When the parade debuted in Annapolis in 2019, over 6,000 people showed up in a spectrum of colors. Since then, it’s become the second largest parade and festival in Annapolis, with upwards of 10,000 attendees. “The love and the sheer joy of the event is just unmatched to any other event in this community,” says Feldmann. Dress in your best multicolored ensemble and you’ll be golden or rather, rainbow.
Where can you experience unconditional love, acceptance, and a plethora of rainbow-themed apparel? The Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival, that’s where! If you and your family love to love love, then Annapolis Pride is the place to be. WHAT IS IT? The Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival is much more than rainbows (the chosen color scheme for the LGBTQ+ community representing natural diversity). It’s
a celebration of love and self-expression for people of all colors, creeds, and orientations who create the rainbow of life. 2024 marks the 5th annual Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival where LGBTQ+ members and their allies will be strutting through the streets of downtown Annapolis culminating with a festival for this free and family-friendly event. Last year, 200 organizations, 45 sponsors, and 35 food vendors participated. In addition, you can expect to see various musical artists on two stages sandwiching the rainbow- fueled frenzy.
WHERE IS IT? The Annapolis Pride Parade typically moves down West Street from Amos Garrett Boulevard to Calvert Street. There, you’ll find the festival at The People’s Park. Park at the Navy Stadium where you’ll be pampered with a free shuttle downtown. You can park your prismatic party of people anywhere along the parade route. WHEN IS IT? What better way to spend a Saturday than to contribute to the kaleidoscope of color
Photo courtesy of Annapolis Pride Facebook
WHY A PARADE? In 1970, the first pride parade was to commemorate the anniversary of The Stonewall Uprising which sparked a historical human rights movement. Since then, Pride parades worldwide recognize our right to love who we love and express all aspects of ourselves freely.
that will be marching its way through Naptown? Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 1 to witness and partake in the festivities with the parade beginning at noon and the festival at 1 P.M .
12 | THE MOTHERLODE
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