Rochester is gearing up to celebrate its annual Pride Parade today with thousands of participants expected to march down South Avenue. The decision to change the parade route from Park Avenue was made in light of the record-breaking turnout of over 15,000 attendees in 2023. The festival, which will kick off at Beikirch Park in Highland Park, will feature musical performances, drag shows, vendors, food trucks, and a variety of activities for attendees.
Tickets for the festival can be purchased online or at the gate on the day of the event, with general admission set at $5 and VIP tickets available for $50. The lineup includes headliner Nina Sky, along with other artists and drag performers. The theme for this year’s Pride event is “Pride Galaxy,” encouraging attendees to embrace space-themed accessories and outfits. Attendees are advised to avoid parking on neighborhood streets and to consider ride-sharing options, with paid parking available at designated locations.
Rochester has a rich history of celebrating Pride, with events dating back to a sit-in at Genesee Valley Park in 1971 and the first Pride Parade along East Main Street in 1989. Since then, Pride celebrations have grown and evolved, with the addition of the Pride Festival in 1996. The Pride Picnic, held in July, marks the beginning of Pride Week in Rochester and has become a longstanding tradition in the city. This year’s Pride festivities promise to be a vibrant and inclusive celebration of diversity and love.
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