St. Louis PrideFest facts for kids
PrideFest St. Louis is a large yearly event in St. Louis, Missouri. It celebrates the LGBT community. The event is put on by Pride St. Louis. This group is a non-profit organization. It helps LGBT people in the St. Louis area.
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About PrideFest St. Louis
PrideFest St. Louis started in 1980. It was first called the St. Louis Gay and Lesbian Pride Celebration. The first theme was "Celebration of Lesbian and Gay Pride." The theme changes every year. This fun event happens every year. It takes place during the last full weekend of June.
In 2017, the event was on June 23. Cleve Jones was the parade's special guest, called the Grand Marshal.
The 2018 event also happened on June 23. It was held in Downtown St. Louis. The location was Soldiers Memorial. The theme for that year was "Remember. Rise. Respect." Angelica Ross was the Grand Marshal.
In 2019, the St. Louis city flag was taken down. It was replaced with the transgender and gay flags during Pride month. The parade's Grand Marshal, Metro Trans Umbrella Group, stepped down. This happened after a decision about police uniforms in the parade was changed.
St. Louis is a very open-minded city. It has many neighborhoods that welcome LGBT people. In 2019, Realtor.com said St. Louis was the 8th most LGBT-friendly city.
History of PrideFest
The group that started PrideFest began in 1979. It was called the St. Louis Lesbian & Gay Pride Celebration Committee. The first celebration happened in 1980. This event was supported by the Magnolia Committee. They worked with another group. Together, they planned a week of activities in April 1980.
At the end of that week, many people gathered. They took part in "The Lesbians and Gays Walk for Charity." This walk went down Lindell Boulevard. It ended at Washington University. These two groups then became one. They formed the St. Louis Lesbian & Gay Pride Celebration Committee.
Around the same time, a writer named Jim Thomas had an idea. He invited leaders from different groups to a meeting. They wanted to plan a yearly celebration. They decided to hold it in June. This was to honor the Stonewall Riots. Those events happened in June 1969.
Each group could still have their own events. But they would also join together for a bigger celebration. At first, the celebration included a picnic and a march. This tradition is still strong in St. Louis today. June is now known as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. Since the first PrideFest in 1981, the event has grown a lot. More people attend, and it offers more activities.
The PrideFest Festival
Where PrideFest Happens
In the 1980s and 1990s, PrideFest was held in different places. It took place in the Central West End and Forest Park. By the late 1990s, the festival moved to Tower Grove Park.
In 2013, PrideFest and its parade moved to downtown St. Louis. It has been held at Soldiers Memorial since then. Local leaders and LGBT groups support this location. The City of St. Louis also helps.
How Many People Attend
PrideFest has grown very popular. In 2011, a newspaper estimated 85,000 people attended. This was over the PrideFest weekend.
In 2012, over 100,000 people attended. This was over two days. The parade that year was also the longest ever.
In 2014, Pride St. Louis saw even more people. Over 150,000 attended the festival. About 90,000 people watched the parade. The festival area grew. It had over 160 vendors and sponsors. There were two stages for entertainment. There was also a children's area.
In 2015, the festival broke records again. Over 200,000 people came to watch and attend.
In 2017, an estimated 300,000 people attended PrideFest.
The Pride Parade
The Pride Parade is an important part of the event. It lets lawmakers show their support for the LGBT community. The parade also shows off the talents of many groups. Hundreds of LGBT-friendly businesses and non-profit groups take part. They share their messages with everyone who attends.
When the parade was on South Grand, it started from South Grand Blvd. It went past Arsenal Street to Tower Grove Park. The parade route is now along Market Street in Downtown St. Louis.
