Pride celebrations in Burlington and Winooski: What to expect this weekend.
It's time to let that rainbow flag fly: this weekend will be chock full of Pride events from Winooski to Burlington.
More than a week of festivities in Burlington culminate in the annual Pride parade downtown on Sunday, a tradition that dates to the city's first parade in 1983. Immediately following will be the festival at Waterfront Park.
Winooski is getting in on the action for the first time this year, hosting Pride events Saturday evening at Rotary Park.
From times and locations to road closures, here's what you need to know to support the LGBTQ community by participating in Pride events throughout the weekend.
Burlington's Pride parade Sunday
On Sunday, Sept. 18, marchers will travel through the streets of Burlington as they have done since 1983. However, this time the route will be a little different.
To commemorate those who have marched for equal rights and better treatment for LGBTQ persons for nearly 40 years, the route will pass a newly erected Pride historical marker at St. Paul and College streets.
The route will begin where it traditionally has at The Hood Plant on King Street. It will run up Church Street for three blocks, take a left to do a block of Bank Street and then back down St. Paul for two blocks until meeting Main Street From that point on it will follow the regular path west down Main Street, then up Lake Street until reaching Waterfront Park.
The parade begins at noon and revelers are encouraged to join the back of the line once it reaches Main Street to walk in solidarity together toward Waterfront Park, where the festival kicks off at 1 p.m.
For those visiting Burlington via vehicle on Saturday, be aware that these roads will be closed for a period of time before and after the parade occurs. You can see the route in map form at www.pridecentervt.org/pride/.
Pride Festival at Waterfront Park
The parade route is not the only new thing this year, the festival has grown to the point it needed a new venue. So, this year Waterfront Park and the views of Lake Champlain will serve as the backdrop for a variety of activities.
A stage will host performers and special speakers, with scheduled events lined up until 5 p.m.
There will be a variety of vendors set up including those selling food, beer and cider. Portable restrooms and handwashing or hand sanitizer stations will be available as well as facemasks. There will be a health and wellness area and a quiet tent, plus an area with accessible seating.
Parking may be hard to come by near the venue. Attendees are encouraged to use regular downtown parking areas, public transportation or carpooling and be prepared to walk a little to get to the park.
To find out more about the specific events, visit www.pridecentervt.org/pride/.
Winooski's inaugural Pride event
Winooski will host its first Pride event on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Rotary Park from 5 to 8 p.m.
It's a family-friendly affair that kicks off with Drag Queen Story Hour and is followed with performances and live music. LGBTQ artists, makers, organizations and businesses will be featuring their wares at the in person marketplace, which will also have a virtual component.
Visitors can bring in outside food and lawn chairs or blankets. Outside alcohol will not be permitted; however, Stowe Cider will be selling alcoholic beverages on site.
There will be an after party at The Archives bar in Winooski at 8 p.m.
More information about Winooski Pride 2022 can be found at http://downtownwinooski.org/pride/.
Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Pride events in Burlington and Winooski, Vermont: Schedule and roads
