More than three decades ago, a small group of people that supported gay and lesbian rights marched through downtown Phoenix in unity. Now, 36 years later, more than 35,000 people are expected to attend the Phoenix Pride Festival and Parade this weekend.
In the past, the Phoenix Pride Parade was held on Saturday morning and was followed by the festival beginning at noon. For the second year in a row, the City of Phoenix has decided to hold the parade on Sunday morning, because the city hosts the Phoenix Pride Run and Walk on Saturday.
The Pride Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday and will start at Third Street and Thomas Road and will end at Third Street and Indian School Road. It will bring out thousands of participants and parade goers and will be full of fun floats, performers and politicians.
The Phoenix Pride Festival will go from noon to 9 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. It will bring out thousands of people who will visit vendors, enjoy good company and dance the day away.
The festival is held at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix each year and is a two-day event that is filled with hundreds of vendors, organizations, booths, food and more. It's put on by Phoenix Pride each year.
The festival takes over more than 20 acres at the park -- it's the biggest event that the park holds each year.
The festival also has five stages for entertainment, more than 300 exhibitors, an Arts Expo, Health and Wellness Pavilion, KidSpace, YouthZone, Sway Events VIP Experience, Dance Pavilions and much more.
The festival works to raise funds for the Phoenix Pride Community Programs while also educating the public about LGBT rights and equality issues that face our community, according to their website.
Last year, more than 35,000 people attended the festival and this year they are expecting even more attendees. It's a great place to meet people and is a family-friendly event.
This year the festival has headliners like Los Horoscopos de Durango, Daya and MAGIC! In 2015, Ana Barbara, Wilson Philips and Betty Who performed. There are performances at each of the five stages going on each day.
For more information on the Pride Festival a full list of performances visit phoenixpride.org.