By Community Link Fresno Rainbow Pride Committee
Join your community members as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of Fresno’s Pride Parade and Festival! Take part in an event that happens only once a year but offers so much potential for memories and making friends and networks. The annual Pride Parade and Festival is a day in which the community is invited to celebrate the courage, culture and diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) community.
Pride is a way to celebrate one’s authentic identity as the LGBT+ community continues to make larger strides to full equality. This event, on June 6, will begin with a parade consisting of more than 50 contingents, each representing an LGBT+ or LGBT+ friendly organization or business. The parade will begin at 10 a.m., continuing from Olive Avenue from Palm Avenue to Wishon Avenue, and ending at 11 a.m.
After the parade, attendees will be admitted to the festival portion of the event, beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. on N. Fulton Avenue. Admission to the Pride Festival is $5. All community members are welcome to enjoy a memorable event while supporting a noteworthy cause.
At the festival, attendees will enjoy friendly faces from numerous vendors, helpful information from various booths about local resources, classic live performances and an awards ceremony in the entertainment tent. Come to meet more people and at the same time see all the diversity and talent this resilient community has to offer.
The theme for this year’s Pride Parade and Festival is “Remembering: Riots! Rebellion! Revolution!” symbolizing the strength and vigor this community has maintained while relentlessly striving to attain justice, representation and equal rights. Be a part of the change this year; this is our 25th anniversary, and we are still making history as we gain more support.
This event is the single biggest LGBT+ event in the entire Central Valley with more than 3,000 in attendance. It is an inspiration to many who may not realize all the intricacy involved in understanding style, performance and pride! Pride began as a result of the riots at the Stonewall Inn in 1969; the LGBT+ community wanted better representation and a day to call their own and that tradition continues today. Bask in the culture, history and fabulousness of this dynamic community; you can begin by showing your pride!
For more information about this year’s Pride Parade and Festival, contact Jeffrey Robinson at clinkinc@aol.com and or Zoyer Zyndel at 559-285-0795 or zoyerzyndel@yahoo.com.
