OLYMPIA — The annual Capital City Pride festival takes place June 9 and 10 in downtown Olympia. Organizers say that the festival and parade continues to grow.
On Sunday, June 10, state Rep. Laurie Jinkins will serve as the parade’s grand marshall. The state legislature’s first openly lesbian member, Jinkins voted in support of a measure in the 2012 legislative session to provide marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. That legislation is being challenged by a citizen referendum.
“We’re once again expecting a record number of food and booth vendors, with something for the whole family,” said Matthew Shrader, a co-chair of the festival. “We’re also looking forward to our second-annual beer and wine garden.”
The beer garden is located adjacent to Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia, where the two-day festival takes place.
The gay pride festival has brought in entertainment headliner Brian Kent from New York. Kent has scored several national and international hits on Global Dance Club play charts and is currently charting in the UK and across the globe. He performs Saturday, June 9 at 3 p.m. on the main stage.
Street closures will also take place during the weekend, and no parking will be allowed on the closed streets. The parade route begins at the state capitol building Sunday, June 10 at noon. It travels northbound on Capital Way to 5th Ave., then to Sylvester Park via Washington St.
“This year’s festival is particularly meaningul in light of the progress that our state and nation is making in terms of equality, that’s why we chose the theme Celebrate Community, Defend Equality,” Shrader said, “we’re hoping and planning for one of our biggest crowds ever, and we really value the generosity of the community in helping to make all of this happen.”
For more information and a complete schedule of Pride-related events starting June 7, visit www.CapitalCityPride.net.
Street closures/no parking zones:
- Legion Way between Capital Way and Washington St. closed June 9 and 10
- Washington St. between Legion Way and 8th Ave. closed June 9 and 10
- 7th Ave. between Capital Way & Franklin St. closed June 9 and 10
- Capital Way will close for the Sunday, June 10 parade between 5th Ave. and the state capital campus from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
