Out loud & proud

Although Minnesota has yet to jump on the gay-marriage bandwagon (come on, we have to fall in line after Iowa?), we still know how to throw a mean Pride party, rife with rainbow-themed products, free-flowing beer, and plenty of music. Now in its 37th year, the Twin Cities gathering is the third-largest Pride Festival in the nation, and attracts a huge crowd for the parade and attendant festivities in Loring Park on Saturday and Sunday. Here’s an overview of the proceedings for both the out-and-about and the straight-but-not-narrow.

Pride Festival
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 27 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, Loring Park, free
The weekend’s main shebang, the Pride Festival in Loring Park is a mix of music, exhibitors, attractions, and tons of opportunities for running into your exes.

Those who don’t have the desire or transportation to zip down to Iowa can instead show their commitment at the mass ceremony on Sunday afternoon. If that doesn’t jibe with your long, specially crafted personal vows, though, no worries: There’s a space set aside for private ceremonies all day Saturday and Sunday. Pre-registration is required for either option, and slots fill quickly, so sign up in advance if you want to get thee to a rainbow-bedecked altar.

If getting hitched isn’t your groove, there are plenty of other activities to keep your pride flowing. Jump into the volleyball or basketball tournaments, or wander around the history pavilion, which features exhibits on the history and accomplishments of the GLBT community. There’s also the always-popular beer garden, with just a $5 admission per day—that’s chump change for the opportunity to lounge with adult beverages and potentially meet the person you’ll drag to the mass ceremony next year. And with all that beer in your system, it should be easier than ever to go country at the North Star Gay Rodeo Association-sponsored dance tent. No spurs required, but cowboy and cowgirl apparel is always appreciated. And, as always, the children’s and family area is a familiar draw, close to the wading pool and with a picnic area. There are even free canoe rides across the “lake” in Loring Park, thanks to Wilderness Inquiry.

Pride In Concert
5:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, Loring Park, $12 in advance, $15 at the gate
There are many musical acts throughout Pride, but the main act is always the Saturday-night Pride In Concert show, capping off the first day of festival zest. If there’s a theme, it’s “dance dance dance,” with a heavy emphasis on club-ready grooves. Headliners Exposé had a string of dance-club hits in the late ’80s and early ’90s, including 1988’s “Seasons Change.” Pop/R&B singer Kat DeLuna had a hit with “Whine Up,” though she may be more famous for getting booed by the crowd last year at a Dallas Cowboys football game after butchering the national anthem. Kristine W, a former Miss Washington, has earned 13 No. 1 singles on the Billboard dance chart.

Uptown Pride Block Party
6 p.m. on Friday, June 26, Bryant Avenue & Lake Street, free
Once again, the folks at Bryant-Lake Bowl host their own festival the evening before the main Pride Fest on the street next to the bar/bowling-alley/theater complex in Uptown. This year’s music bill is chock-full of locals, including headliner Tina Schlieske and R&B act Black Blondie (who Decider interviewed). For more, check uptownprideblockparty.com.

Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade
11 a.m. on Sunday, June 28, Loring Park
Looking to, as Jimi Hendrix once put it, wave your freak flag high? This is most definitely the place to do it. Last year, more than 125,000 spectators turned out, making it one of the largest parades in the Upper Midwest.

Starting at the corner of Third and Hennepin and continuing down its traditional route along Hennepin, the stream of floats, motorcycles, scantily clad dancers, and acres of rainbow flags is a must-see (and must-join). If the sensory overload isn’t enough, stand near the grandstand to hear parade play-by-play narration done by Monica West of the Gay ’90s drag show and FOX 9 entertainment reporter Jason Matheson. Early risers can gravitate toward the bandstand around 9 a.m. to catch the unveiling of the new Leather and Rainbow giant flags, and the de-commissioning of last year’s designs. Think you won’t get choked up at a flag ceremony? Then prove it, tough guy.

All this is just the tip of the rainbow-hued iceberg when it comes to Pride events. For the complete skinny, check the official website at tcpride.org, or pick up the dead-tree Pride Guides at venues around town.