Parade - Free Community Event
The Annual Pride Parade - a proud and determined demonstration for civil and human rights
Saturday, July 18, 2009 - step-off at 11:00am at Normal and University
Parade route: Rainbow Mile - University Ave between Normal St. and 6th down to Upas.
Recycling bins will be placed along the parade route and at each review stand. Please do your part to make Pride green.
When San Diego's first Pride march took place in 1974 down Broadway, its participants could not have imagined traversing down a mile-long parade route lined with 160,000 applauding spectators. The handfuls of brave activists who marched back then recall being afraid of losing their jobs or becoming ostracized in a climate that incited fear and hatred from those witnessing the event from the sidelines.
The San Diego LGBT Pride parade has come a very long way since the 1970s. It now embodies 30 floats and 150 contingents from our diverse LGBT community, including our straight supporters, local politicians and community churches and businesses. It is an enormous spectacle not to be missed!
With over 180 floats and contingents, 8,000 participants and 160,000 spectators the Parade is the largest civic event in San Diego.

Help cover the cost of the parade and make a tax-deductible contribution today! Donations of any amount help - $5, $10, $20 - it all makes a difference.
Please click the Donate Now button and charge your contribution to support San Diego Pride today.

Reviewing Stands are located at the following locations:
- University Ave. and Normal St.- Jack FM
- University and Richmond - EXA 91.7 FM (bi-lingual)
- Between Vermont and Richmond - The Deaf Pride reviewing stand - Presented by Deaf Community Services of San Diego. ASL interpreters will be provided.
- University and Vermont - TV Zone
- University and 10th - Magic 92.5
-University and 7th - FM 94.9
- 6th Ave at Robinson - 91X
- 6th Ave at Pennsylvania - 50 and Better Cool Zone presented by ElderHelp of San Diego
- 6th Ave. Ivy Ln. - Radio Latina 104.5 (in Spanish)
"El maestro de ceremonias de este patrocinador difundirá información del desfile en español"
- 6th Ave at Upas - Z90.3
ASL interpretation will be provided at the Deaf Pride reviewing stand. An area adjacent to the Normal Street reviewing stand will be reserved for spectators with special needs. Additionally, water and festival tickets can be purchased along the parade route.
Exciting Pride Offerings for Those 50 and Better!
A VIP seating section for LGBT seniors will be set up at the corner of Pennsylvania and 6th Avenue for this year's Pride Parade. The area will have a tent for shade and chairs will be provided. ElderHelp and San Diego Pride are sponsoring this free Cool Zone for 50 and Better. Space is limited and tickets are required for this special seating area. Tickets are available at ElderHelp to
individual seniors on a first-come, first-served basis.
PARADE AWARDS!
San Diego Pride encourages all parade participants to demonstrate their Pride by developing strong, creative contingents for the parade. This year's theme, Stonewall 2.0 - Activism for Equality must be incorporated into the design of your entry.
On parade day our judges will be in the staging area at 9:30 am to judge your entry - so make sure you 'work it' for them. Although qualifying contingents will be judged for awards prior to the start of the parade, violation of Parade regulations before or during the event may disqualify any contingent.
More than a 160,000 people are watching you along the route and over a million households will see you on television! Your creativity will be rewarded with a plaque and special category award banner carried in front of your entry.
The most fabulous will be honored during the parade in the following 2009 parade award categories:
|
Best Float Design |
The best decorated float that captures the theme "Stonewall 2.0: Activism for Equality" |
|
Spirit of Pride Award |
Best entry from a non-profit organization that best displays the spirit of Pride |
|
Grand Marshal Award |
The most entertaining & crowd pleasing float |
|
Best Choreography |
A band or marching contingent that performs in a musical and/or coordinated manner |
|
Rainbow Mile Award |
The most imaginatively decorated and colorful entry |
| Best use of Theme |
The most creative non-float entry that incoporates the theme "Stonewall 2.0: Activism for Equality" |
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