By Jennifer Eden
The third weekend in June brings a bevy of visitors and locals alike to Baltimore, to enjoy the city’s annual Pride Festival. Since 1975, Baltimore Pride has been growing continuously and now attracts an estimated 30,000 participants. It’s Maryland’s largest LGBTQ visibility event, and this year, the activities and exhibitions aim to be bigger and better than the last.
The three-day celebration, organized by the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore, takes place at various locations in the heart of the city.
Friday, June 14: The festivities kick off on Friday, June 14, with the Eighth Annual Twilight on the Terrace benefit cocktail party. This bash is held at Gertrude’s Restaurant at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) and spills into the BMA’s outdoor sculpture garden. Guests enjoy a full night of dancing, hors d’oeuvres, and all the drinks they desire.
Saturday, June 15: Mount Vernon, a Baltimore neighborhood rich in history, plays host to Saturday’s events. Charles and Eager streets are blocked off all day, to accommodate the tens of thousands of people flooding the area to enjoy the sights and sounds of Pride.
The day starts with a High Heel Race up Charles Street. According to Baltimore Pride’s official website, “Men, women, queens, and everyone in-between will try their luck, running approximately two blocks up Charles Street for the honor of being crowned the 2013 High Heel Race winner!”
This year’s prize includes a basket of goodies from local bars and restaurants; a trophy; and a bottle of champagne from Spirits, a neighborhood wine and spirits shop and the race’s sponsor.
The Pride Parade immediately follows the High Heel Race. As it does each year, the parade kicks off at Monument and Charles streets and ends four blocks north at Chase Street. The parade comprises more than 50 entries, from flowered floats to marching bands, lesbian bikers to gay cowboys. Local, state, and national organizations participate, as well, to show their support for the LGBTQ community.
The streets of Mount Vernon turn into “a nightclub without walls” at the Baltimore Pride Block Party. The main stage is located at the intersection of Charles and Eager streets. Scheduled entertainment includes dancers, drag performers, and DJs—featuring local headliner, DJ Rosie—to keep the energy going well into the night.
Many local party promoters and venues, including Club Hippo, Onyx Entertainment, NmyLane Entertainment, and Burgess and Bender, among others, are hosting parties for the Pride crowd at area clubs.
Sunday, June 16: After Saturday’s all-day/all-night party, Sunday’s events are much more relaxed. Druid Hill Park, a beautiful lakeside setting, hosts the annual Pride Festival. Rain or shine, an estimated 5,000 people come out to enjoy the performances and visit the numerous vendors. And, for the third year in a row, a Family Zone features activities and exhibits just for kids.
