2011 Gay Pride Festival and Parade Marches On, July 16-17

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 16-17, attracts over 100,000 people to Hillcrest, North Park, downtown and Balboa Park, both gay and straight.

This year’s San Diego Pride celebration features a political rally, July 15, in Balboa Park; a mile-long parade down University Avenue, July 16; and a two-day festival with live entertainment on three stages, July 16 and 17, in the park.

Festival tickets purchased by June 30 are $15 a day or $25 for a two-day pass. Regular prices thereafter are $20 a day and $30 for the weekend.

The fiercely blunt, provocative Margaret Cho will bring her non-conformist brand of comedy to San Diego Pride’s main festival stage on July 16, at Marston Point in Balboa Park. Cho will cap off a full schedule of performances by other artists before the festival resumes the following day.

Actress Meredith Baxter is the 2011 Grand Marshall of the Pride Parade. The parade is scheduled for 11 a.m., July 16, along University Avenue through the heart of Hillcrest. It begins at Normal Street, proceeds west to Sixth Avenue, then south to Upas Street.

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.

San Diego Pride's famous cultural Festival includes multiple stages of entertainment, more than 80 musicians, bands, comedy and dance performers, 300 participating vendor booths, an Art exhibit, cultural presentations, and great food.

Highlights include: Latin Stage, Farmers Market, Country Western dance floor, hiNrg dance floor, Lavender Stage, Beer Gardens, Wine Grotto, Cool Zone for those 55+, Leather Realm, Interfaith Pavilion, Art of Pride (LGBT local artists), Queer Lounge, Children's Garden, and over 300 vendors.We invite families, youth, and people of all ages to participate in the annual Pride Festival.

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

Pride Festival Info:

When: Saturday July 16 and Sunday July 17
Hours: Saturday, 12 noon-10 p.m. & Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Location: Marston Point, Balboa Park (6th & Laurel St.)
Single Day Ticket: $20*
*Seniors 60+ as well as students 16-24 with id are $10.00 at the gate.
*Active duty military w/ID are free at the gate (see info at bottom of page) This program is Sponsored in part by: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and San Diego Pride

Tickets can be purchase in advance online here.