Detroit — Michigan’s largest Pride celebration, Motor City Pride, returns this weekend to downtown Detroit and is expected to draw tens of thousands, city officials and organizers said.
The two-day festival kicks off Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hart Plaza on the city’s riverfront. The festival runs from 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 12:30 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The festival will have four stages of live entertainment and over 100 local vendors.
The two-day festival and parade are expected to draw more than 65,000, city officials said.
Mayor Mary Sheffield helped raise the Pride flag this week in honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month at downtown’s Spirit Plaza, which is next to Coleman Young Municipal Center.
“The Pride flag represents courage,” Sheffield said. “It represents progress. It represents the generations of advocates, leaders, and community members who fought and who continue to fight, and advocate for equality, dignity and justice.”
Motor City Pride traces its roots back to June 1972 when the first march was held downtown to protest local and national laws and to work towards recognition for LGBTQ+ rights.
Detroit Councilman Denzel McCampbell said it was important to remember the many local residents who “fought for liberation” and understand that it is far from over.
“We need to protect the community, especially our trans sisters and brothers and … non-binary folks, for just safety,” McCampbell said at the Wednesday’s event.
McCampbell, who is serving his first term, is one of two openly queer members on Detroit City Council. The other is Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero, who is serving her second term on council. McCampbell cited the city’s human rights ordinance as an example of Detroit policies seeking to be inclusive.
“Just as important as the policy side, it is making sure that we are enforcing our ordinances, making sure all of our departments, and all of our entities are as being as welcoming and supportive as possible,” McCampbell said.
All about Motor City Pride
Admission to Motor City Pride is $5.99; children 12 and younger will be admitted free.
The Pride parade begins at noon on Sunday at the corner of Fort and Griswold streets and ends in front of Hart Plaza. Parade viewing along the route is free.
Go to motorcitypride.org.
laguilar@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Motor City Pride festival returns to Detroit’s Hart Plaza this weekend
Reporting by Louis Aguilar, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Louis Aguilar, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
