The rainbow flag, a symbol for LGTBQ+, waving in the wind at San Francisco's Castro District San Francisco, California in 2010.
By Benson Kua, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12884519
Update: Lake Stevens Pride announced May 29 post-press time that it has moved its June 8 event to Mt. Pilchuck Elementary, 12806 20th St NE, Lake Stevens.
This year is the 50th anniversary of Pride Month. Events each June celebrate LGBTQ+ members of the community.
Most cities are holding Pride events, including Snohomish, Monroe and Everett. Here’s a rundown:
Snohomish
Snohomish’s celebration of Pride will be May 31 and June 1. Hosted by the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association (HDSA), this is their second ever Pride event. More than 8,600 people attended the first one.
On Friday, May 31 there will be a family picnic at 4 p.m. at Hill Park on Blackman Lake.
In addition, there will be the Rocky Horror Picture Show viewing party and drag show on Friday, May 31 at 5:30 p.m. It is a 21 and up showing. You can purchase tickets at www.historicdowntownsnohomish.org/snohopridedrag
On Saturday, June 1, there will be a parade on First Street starting at 10 a.m. Then there will be a pop-up market, which will have a diverse display of goods, crafts, food and family-friendly activities. The vendor market has substantiallyexpanded with a food court area near the main stage.
There will be a Kid’s Fair and drag artists performing live outside from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the parking lot of the Carnegie, 105 Cedar Ave.
There will be two drag cabarets in the Carnegie on Saturday. One is from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The second one is from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. For tickets, www.historicdowntownsnohomish.org/snohopridedrag
Amanda Munro, Snohomish Pride’s co-director, said, “Pride is a way for allies and members of the LGBTQIA+ community to come together to create the Snohomish we want everyone to experience.”
Munro added, “Having a Pride event in a small town like ours allows people to connect with neighbors they may not have felt comfortable or safe doing in a different environment.”
The Senior Center also will be holding drag queen entertainment as part of its bingo night starting at 5 p.m., $25 entry cost, plus $10 for 10 bingo cards. 504 Fourth St. You can purchase at www.snohomishcenter.org/rainbowbingo
Monroe
The Monroe Pride event will be Sunday, June 9 starting at noon and ending at 4 p.m.. at Skykomish River Park (413 Sky River Parkway).
Monroe Equity Community is hosting the event. It’s the third Monroe Pride; the first year saw more than 700 visitors.
The event includes a vendor market, food trucks, dancing, singing and performances on the main stage. Also, you can find more activities and games when you venture further into the rest of the park.
You can “shop your way through the Pride Market, grab a snack or a meal from one of the food trucks, and enjoy dancing, singing, and performances from the main stage,” Monroe Equity Community board member Bridgette Tuttle said.
Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome.
Tuttle explained the importance of the event.
“The event is extremely important as it promotes inclusion and a sense of belonging for the local LGBTQIA+ community members,” Tuttle said.
Everett
Everett’s Pride will start with a festival Saturday, June, 15 starting at 11 a.m. along Wetmore Avenue between Hewitt and Pacific avenues until 6 p.m., plus there are events after 6 p.m. around downtown.
This is the second annual Everett Pride.
After the festival, there is an all-ages After Party at the Bayside Cafe from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is located at 3001 Broadway.
Those 21 and over can go to Zamarama Galley at 2936 Colby Ave. It is a two-hour event going from 6 to 8 p.m.
Later, there will be a Glow with Pride dance party. It starts at 8 p.m. and ends at 2 a.m. at APEX Kings Hall at 1611 Everett Ave. The cost for tickets is $20. On the day of the event, it is $25 at the door. You can purchase at www.everettpride.org
Around the county:
• Lake Stevens Pride: June 8, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mt. Pilchuck Elementary School, 12806 20th St NE, Lake Stevens
• SnoCo Pride: June 22, 1-4 p.m., Forest Park, 802 E Mukilteo Boulevard, Everett.
• Edmonds Pride: June 22, 2-6 p.m., Civic Center Playfield, 598 Edmonds St., Edmonds.
