2009 Gay Pride Festival and Parade Marches On, July 18-19

It's become one of the largest gay pride celebrations on the West Coast. And not only that, the San Diego Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT)Pride Celebration is embraced by the entire San Diego community. Want proof? The annual two-day celebration (Pride events are scheduled through the month of July - check the Pride website here), taking place July 18-19, attracts over 100,000 people to Hillcrest, North Park, downtown and Balboa Park, both gay and straight. It's nice to know we are, indeed, a tolerant community.

This year's 35th Pride weekend, titled "Stonewall 2.0 - Activism for Equality," also features a mile-long parade at 11 a.m., July 18, along University Avenue through the heart of Hillcrest. And several official pre-Pride events are scheduled in the months of June and July, including a massive county-wide Equality Torch Relay on Saturday, June 6.

The theme commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City while embracing today's new generation of LGBT grassroots activists and the methods they've used for mobilizing attention to equal rights.

Events, parties and rallies take place throughout the area during the event, but the main attraction is Saturday's Gay Pride Parade, where over 100,000 people line the streets of Hillcrest and Balboa Park to see what can only be described as a fabulous spectacle. The parade starts at 11 a.m. at the corner of University Ave. and Normal Street in Hillcrest and heads down University, then down Sixth Avenue towards Balboa Park. Make sure you bring lots of water, sunscreen and a heavy dose of good humor.

The big Pride Festival on Saturday and Sunday will feature an unprecedented number of bands, dance troupes and comedians on 10 different performance stages set up throughout the festival grounds. This summer's San Diego LGBT Pride festival will feature an unprecedented number of performers and attractions from throughout its 33-year history, with more than 100 artists, 300 businesses and an expected audience of 40,000 gathered to celebrate equality, freedom and diversity in the LGBT community.

Vendor booths and multiple stages will be set up throughout the festival grounds at Marston Point in Balboa Park, giving way to a wide range of musical genres that include high-octane and hard rock, electronic pop, Latin rhythms, jazz, country and more.

Specially featured in the roster is a lineup of local, independent bands and musicians who are passionate about supporting the LGBT civil rights movement.

Ticket Information:

$15 Early Bird one-day ticket (only available online)
$25 Early Bird two-day ticket (only available online)
Tickets will be $20 after July 1.

Saturday July 18, 12:00pm-10:00pm

Sunday July 19, 11:00am-8:00pm

Tickets can be purchase in advance online here.