Rochester Pride Parade sees huge turnout on a perfect day: 'This is the best year yet'

Rochesterians came out in droves Saturday to show their support during the Rochester Pride Parade and Festival.

The celebration of LGBTQ life saw its greatest turnout yet, with organizers saying there were more than 250 marching units and tens of thousands of people on the street. The parade itself lasted more than two hours.

Celebrating Rochesterians pulled out all the stops when curating their Pride outfits. Emily Dyson, who’s been to Rochester Pride every year since moving to the city three years ago, shined in a sequined cowgirl outfit on the parade’s sidelines. To Dyson, Pride means celebrating queerness and self-expression.

“Honestly, [Pride] means everything,” said Dyson, who was overjoyed to see that attendees felt free to be themselves. “It means people like us have a place to belong.”

The parade’s new route along South Avenue was a welcome change, Dyson said.

“This is the best year yet,” Dyson said. “It’s a lot more open; I like the shade from the trees.”

One group of marchers used the parade to bring up the plight of Palestinians. "No pride in genocide," they chanted.

And two people using a megaphone warned about the fury of God and how attendees were all sinners. They were mostly ignored.

Here's everything you need to know about Saturday's joyful celebration:

Nina Sky plays to cheering crowd at Rochester Pride Festival

After an electrifying DJ set, festival headliner Nina Sky have taken the Highland Park stage. The crowd is bumping, cheering along to the duo’s upbeat R&B tunes and waving Pride flags.

Festivalgoers are sprawled across the grounds, many lounging with refreshments and grooving to the echoing beats from the show. As Rochester’s Pride Festival rolls on into the early evening, attendees take part in queer-centric activities across the grounds, including walking and vogue-ing in a ballroom tent. Contestants strutted and posed to enthusiastic cheers from audience members, whose eyes stayed glued on the mesmerizing performers.

Taking a break from the fun on a Highland Park hill with her friend, Eli Alejandro, Pride attendee Cynn Cruz said she hopes to honor the legacy of queer activists who paved the way to equality and representation.

“Our ancestors, they did what they did so we could celebrate here today,” Cruz said.

Rochester Pride Parade: It's a wrap

The flurry of jugglers, flag-twirlers, DJs, drag kings and queens, local politicians and their supporters, and other marchers has reached Beikirch Park for the Pride Festival. The parade has wrapped up but the party continues with food vendors, drag performances and music.

All are welcome at the Rochester Pride Parade

Rochester's Pride Parade: Living his best life

As the parade passes its second hour, the sun is beating down on South Avenue and attendees are savoring every bit of shady respite they can find. Some cool off under trees while others watch the floats from covered bus stops. Despite the heat, spirits are high as ever as paradegoers move down toward Beikirch Park for the Pride Festival.

Jahmir Simmons incorporated Pride motifs into every part of his look — from rainbow, bedazzled eye makeup to rainbow shoe soles. Pride is a time to celebrate self-love, Simmons said.

“I came out seven years ago, and I am living my best life,” Simmons said. “It’s all about loving yourself first.”

Rochester Pride Parade video: See the love and support

Soaking up the 'positive energy' at the Rochester Pride Parade

The festivities continue along South Avenue as paradegoers cheer on the rolling floats and marchers. Groups exchange shouts of “Happy Pride” every couple of seconds as queer pop anthems, like Chappell Roan’s infectiously fun “Hot To Go!” play.

Three young attendees — Ellyce Tonovitz, Leila Faber and Liza DeLooze — came to Pride to have a great time, hang out with friends and take in the “positive energy.”

“It’s just really cool to see so many different people here,” said DeLooze, who came out to their first Pride Parade this year. “It’s just a very diverse community.”

Watching from the grassy sidelines with a Pride hat-topper and flag was Paul Mier, who was there to support family members.

“[Pride] brings people together and makes everybody happy,” Mier said.

Rochester Pride Parade: Showing their support

The parade is off, floats and marching teams slowly heading down Science Parkway with energy and excitement. Groups waiting their turn are hanging out at the street’s far end, where music blasts as attendees chat and dance.

A number of paraders are marching alongside companies and organizations they support. Cheryl Hayward and Ebony Burgess came out with Monroe County’s Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the third year to celebrate inclusivity.

“What a way to do just that [at Pride],” Hayward said.

Rochester Pride Parade: 'You are loved'

Crowds are set up along South Avenue in anticipation of the 2024 Rochester Pride Parade, many seeking out coveted shady spots on this warm Saturday morning. Paradegoers of all generations have come out to witness Rochester Pride Month’s crowning event sporting all kinds of pride gear, from flags and umbrellas to tassel skirts and bucket hats.

As lively music booms down South Avenue, a line of drag performers and other paraders in themed costumes are turning down Science Parkway now for the parade’s 11 a.m. start.

One attendee, Malachi Wonderland, sat on a sunny block of sidewalk, which he decorated with a chalk inscription reading, “You are loved.” This year marks Wonderland’s first Pride as an out trans man, and he’s here to “give more than [he] takes.”

“I waited 37 years to become the man I’m meant to be, and I’ve had to shove down every inch of myself,” Wonderland said. "I don’t think any kid should ever have to swallow that.”

Rochester Pride Festival: Ticket info, music lineup, food options 

The festivals start at 11 a.m. at Highland Park (same time as the parade), where there will be games, vendors, food trucks and live music until 6 p.m.

Tickets are required to get into the festival and cost $5 for general admission and $50 for VIPs (bar, lounge and private restroom trailer included). Kids under 12 are free. No dogs or backpacks are allowed.

The event’s musical headliner is Nina Sky, a twin-sister duo that fuses R&B, dancehall, reggaeton, hip-hop and pop influences. The duo hit it big in 2004 when "Move Ya Body" became a Billboard Hot 100 hit.  Audiences will also hear music from DJ Citizen Jane, Ethan Soza, Kaylin Cervini, Adrienne Mack-Davis and Stunt Double. Several drag performances will dazzle the festival stage, including some from RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni and Miss and Mr. Gay Pride Rochester.

The Meatball Truck Co., Neno's Gourmet and Wraps on Wheels are just some of the food trucks at the festival.

Where to park, catch a shuttle for the Rochester Pride Parade 

Drivers should avoid parking on neighborhood streets around the parade route and organizers recommend ride-sharing.

Paid parking will be available at two locations:

• Al Sigl Center (1000 Elmwood Avenue) — $5

• Grass lot between the Al Sigl Center and Meadowbrook Road — $5

Free parking for people with disabilities will be available at the Lilac Adventure Zone (249 Highland Ave.).

A shuttle will run nonstop between Highland Avenue and Science Parkway from 12:45 to 7 p.m.

Rochester Pride Parade history: You've come a long way baby 

Pride’s beginnings in Rochester can be traced back to May of 1971 when about 300 protesters attended a sit-in — what they called a “gay-in” — at Genesee Valley Park.

The city began hosting the Pride Picnic in July 1972. The picnic, held July 13 this year, now marks the kick-off of Pride Week in Rochester.

The first Pride Parade in Rochester took place along East Main Street on June 28, 1989 — the 20th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City. Organizers moved the parade to Park Avenue in 1991, where it was held annually until this year.

An adjoining Pride Festival was added to celebrations in 1996 and has held at various spots around Rochester

Rochester Pride Parade: Community chooses love

New Route for Rochester Pride Parade

The 2024 Pride Parade has been relocated from its longtime spot on Park Avenue to South Avenue this year.

Organizers say that's partly due to the success of last year, with over 15,000 attendees and more than 200 marching groups, and partly due to resurfacing work along Park Avenue.

The parade begins at Science Parkway and heads north on South Avenue until it reaches Beikirch Park (1440 South Ave.) in Highland Park.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester Pride Parade sees huge turnout, outpouring of love, support