LGBTQ Pride Month 2023: New and long-running parades, celebrations across Michigan in June
With the arrival of June, communities across the state of Michigan will be celebrating Pride Month with festivals, parades and celebrations of all sorts honoring the LGBTQ community, informing about its history and supporting community vendors. The parties kick off this weekend in Ferndale, Ypsilanti, Kalamazoo, Lowell, Houghton, Muskegon, Manistee, Ortonville and St. John's.
And the festivities don’t stop when June ends. Pride gatherings will continue around the state through the beginning of October. Some are fledgling events in their first or second years, standing up to be heard in rural and suburban areas, and some are longtime missions in big cities that draw thousands from miles around. Find your local events below.
Allegan
The second annual Allegan Out Loud takes place Aug. 4-5, with an ages 18+ drag show at Griswold Auditorium, 401 Hubbard St., on Friday night and a Saturday festival with food, music, vendors, drag queen storytime and an all-ages drag show at downtown Allendale's Riverfront Plaza. Details at facebook.com/alleganspeakup.
Ann Arbor
This year's Ann Arbor Pride will start at noon on Aug. 5, in downtown Ann Arbor. Details to come at facebook.com/AnnArborPride.
Battle Creek
Battle Creek Pride will take place over four days from Thursday, July 20 through Sunday, July 23. The first night's event is a gay-themed trivia event held at 6:30 p.m. at the Miller Stone Building, 77 Capital Ave. NE. On Friday, July 21, a 7 p.m. Pride parade will strut down Michigan Avenue from Washington Ave. to Commerce Point; parade line-up starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 22 is the largest event, with a Pride festival from 1-7 p.m. at Leila Arboretum, 928 W. Michigan Ave., featuring food trucks, over 70 vendors, a kids' area, live entertainment, a beer garden and a sunset "afterglow" dance party from 7-10 p.m. The weekend will close Sunday, July 23, with an 8:30 p.m. candlelight vigil to remember those lost over the past year (location to be determined). battlecreekpride.org/pride-weekend.
Bay City
Bay City's Great Lakes Bay Pride will be held Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Wenonah Park, 801 N. Water St. The family-friendly event is free for all to attend. greatlakesbaypride.org/regional-pride-celebrations/#pride-festival.
Benton Harbor
The OutCenter of Southwest Michigan will host Pride in Benton Harbor on Saturday, June 24 from noon-6 p.m., twice as long as last year's event, which drew 700 people downtown to Dwight P. Mitchell Park, 127 Pipestone St. The OutCenter will also be hosting events throughout the month of June across Southwest Michigan. Details at outcenter.org/pridefest.
Berkley
The second annual, family-friendly Berkley Pride Block Party will be held on Sunday, June 25 at 12 Mile and Robina Ave. from noon-4 p.m. downtownberkley.com/berkley-pride
Big Rapids
Big Rapids will also celebrate its second annual event, themed "Live with Pride," on Sunday, June 25. The free event will include a beer tent, live music, a drag show, food vendors, educational booths and more from noon-8:30 p.m. at Northend Riverside Park on Trestle Bend Dr. pridebigrapids.org
Detroit
Detroit hosts each year's biggest, mightiest Pride event with Motor City Pride, bringing more than 50,000 people each year to celebrate. From 1-9 p.m. on Saturday, June 10 and noon-7 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, the festival will present a wild array of live entertainment from "RuPaul's Drag Race" stars to DJs and pop and rock bands. Sunday will feature a noon parade. Entrance is $5 for ages 13 and up, and gates close one hour prior to each evening's end. motorcitypride.org.
Also, Detroit's Hotter Than July event, held July 14-16, will celebrate its 23rd year; it is the nation's second oldest Black LGBTQ+ Pride event. Across three days, host organization LGBT Detroit will offer a July 15 concert at MotorCity Casino starring New Orleans' "Queen of Bounce" Big Freedia, as well as an elected candidate forum, a testing zone, an awards brunch, a candlelight vigil, a book festival and a worship service. lgbtdetroit.org/hotterthanjuly.
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Fenton
Fenton's third annual Pride Night will take place Thursday, June 15, from 5-8:30 p.m. across downtown Fenton, with vendors and activities centered in Rackham Park, 150 S. Leroy St. The evening will include live DJs, food and drink specials, Pride merchandise, face painting, local business sales and more. fentonpride.org/pride-night-2023.
Ferndale
Saturday, June 3 will bring Ferndale Pride back to the downtown streets of very LGBTQ-friendly, Detroit-adjacent community from 12:30-10 p.m. Two entertainment stages will host music and drag, and numerous food trucks and community vendors will be on hand at the family-friendly event. ferndalepride.com.
On Saturday, June 24, Ferndale's Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, will host its first Prom ReDeux, a chance to reclaim the youthful rite of passage by bringing a dream date, drinking spiked punch, taking prom photos and dancing all night to DJ sounds. Tickets for the 21-and-up event are $30 each. goaffirmations.org/promredeux.
Saturday, Aug. 26, Transgender Michigan will hold its Pride in the Park event at Martin Road Park, 1900 Orchard Ave., Ferndale, from noon-6 p.m. Vendors, organizations and businesses serving the transgender community will be present at the bring-your-own-picnic gathering. transgendermichigan.org/transgender-pride.
Flint
Hosted by drag queen Perry Dox, Flint's Pride in the Park will take place Saturday, June 24 at Riverbank Park, 100 Saginaw St. Details to come. facebook.com/FLINTGAYPRIDE.
Grand Haven
On Saturday, June 10, Grand Haven will host its very first Pride festival at Waterfront Stadium, 1 North Harbor Drive. The family-friendly event will include both a kids' zone and an adult friendship connection area, drag shows, drag bingo, food and a DJ. ghpride.org.
Grand Rapids
The 35th annual Grand Rapids Pride Festival, called "Unapologetically Me," offers over 100 vendors, a beer garden, multiple stages of entertainment, food trucks, local art, a sensory space and activities for families, children and teens. The event takes place Saturday, June 17, from noon-10 p.m. at Calder Plaza, 320 Ottawa Ave. NW. grpride.org/festival.
Grosse Pointe
On Saturday, June 17, WE GP and Main Street Grosse Pointe will host GP Pride from 1-3 p.m. at the corner of Kercheval and St. Clair. A short march, music, children's activities, a selfie station, activism opportunities and more will be available. wegp.org/event-5267072.
Hazel Park
Hazel Park Pride will celebrate its third year on Sunday, Aug. 13 in Green Acres Park, 620 Woodward Heights Blvd. Details still to come. facebook.com/MotownDragBingo/
Holland
An end-of-school-year Pride open house will be held on Thursday, June 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Out on the Lakeshore Community Center, 451 Columbia Ave., Suite C, to celebrate this year's graduating LGBTQ+ high school students. Swag and food plus special gifts for recent grads will be included.
Saturday, June 24, Over the Lakeshore will present Holland Pride from noon-5 p.m. at Centennial Park, 250 Central Ave. The family-friendly gathering will include food and entertainment. outonthelakeshore.org/graduation-party.
Holly
Holly Pride will be held from Saturday, June 10, from 1-6 p.m. at Holly Lakeside Park, Holly Bush Drive and Park Avenue. A wide number of community businesses and organizations have joined forces to take part, and the family-friendly event will include food trucks, activities, a live podcast, speakers, a market area, free swag, a photo area, resource tables, voter registration, a bounce house and a fire truck for children to visit. facebook.com/ACTHOLLY.
Houghton
Saturday, June 3, Keweenaw Pride Fest will take place in Houghton's East Houghton Waterfront Park, 1220-1298 E. Lakeshore Drive, from 1-5 p.m. The potluck event asks that attendees bring food for themselves or to share, and label any major allergen in shared dishes (there will be labels available for use). There will be a limited amount of disposable tableware. No alcohol is permitted at the park. Live performances from multiple bands will be featured. facebook.com/events/1195350074484550.
Howell
The Pride Alliance of Livingston will present Howell Pride on Saturday, June 10, from noon-4 p.m. on the lawn of the Livingston County Courthouse, 200 E. Grand River Ave. The event will include swag, games, face painting, crafts, food trucks, speakers and a cappella group MaskEra. qflivco.org/upcoming-events/howell-pride-parade
Kalamazoo
More than 8,000 people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations and racial identities from Southwest Michigan and beyond are expected on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 for Kalamazoo Pride, held from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday and noon-11 p.m. Saturday. The weekend includes drag performances, music, exhibitors, food, dancing and more. OutFront Kalamazoo will host the festival at Arcadia Creek Festival Place, 145 E. Water St. outfrontkzoo.org/pride2023.
Lansing
Saturday, June 17, the state capital will host Lansing Pride from 1-11 p.m. in the Old Town neighborhood (around the 1200 block of Turner Street), with over 100 vendors, live entertainment and a beer tent. lansingpride.org.
Livonia
The first annual Livonia Pride Celebration & Resource Fair will take place Saturday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Livonia Civic Center Park, 15218 Farmington Road. The Livonia Democratic Club and Livonia Human Relations Commussion will host the free event featuring dozens of educational and support service organizations, light refreshments and activities for all ages. Guests are welcome to bring personal items to donate for the Ruth Ellis Center. facebook.com/events/1223582008522184
Lowell
On June 3, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Lowell Pride will return for its third outing along the Lowell Riverwalk. The free, family-friendly event will include a kids' dance party, drag queens answering children's questions and speaking words of encouragement, an intro to tai chi, keynote speaker Gracy Harkema, a 2 p.m. Pride Power Walk, poetry and a drag performance. lowellpride.org.
Ludington
Ludington's Pride on the Lakeshore will be held at Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 S. Harrison St., on Saturday, June 10, from 7:30-9 p.m. Hosted by Rene Moxy featuring special guest, Chicago's Ginger Ambrosia, the evening will include a drag show and live Q&A panel. Admission is $10. eventbrite.com/e/pride-on-the-lakeshore-tickets-635182065657.
Mackinac Island
On Sunday, June 18, the annual Lilac Festival Grand Parade will be held on Mackinac Island from 4-5:30 p.m., immediately followed by a Pride Ride lasting until 9 p.m. The ride group will meet near the end of the parade route around Windermere point and ride around the island, with stops at Devil's Kitchen and British Landing. straitspride.org.
The humorously named Straits Pride will host its 5th annual family picnic from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12 at Great Turtle Park, 2601 Crest View Dr.
Their 6th annual Pride Crawl will take place Monday, Aug, 7, from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Mackinac Island. A donation of $5 or more for a wristband is the charge for a night's bar crawl of drinking, dancing and fun times with friends. straitspride.org.
The second annual Mackinac Island Straits Pride Festival will be held from Thursday, Sept. 14 through Sunday, Sept. 17. Individual event times, locations and prices are forthcoming. straitspride.org.
Manistee
On Saturday, June 3, the third annual Pride in the 'Stee event will be held from noon-2 p.m. at the First Street Beach's Lions Pavilion, with an evening party starting at 7 p.m. at the Manistee Elks Lodge, 432 River St. www.facebook.com/people/Pride-in-the-Stee/100082884475238.
Marquette
On Saturday, June 10, Upper Peninsula Rainbow Pride will host their 2023 Pride Fest at Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park in downtown Marquette, 200 N. Lakeshore Blvd., featuring food, merchandise, activities, resources, drag shows and more. The event runs from 1-10:30 p.m. uprainbowpride.org/events.
Monroe
Saturday, June 24, PRISM and Embrace! will host Monroe County Pride 2023, a family-friendly, free event including food trucks, music, games, educational booths, and live entertainment including a drag show. The party takes place from noon-6 p.m. at St. Mary's Park, 111 W. Elm Ave., Monroe. facebook.com/PRISMMonroeCounty.
Muskegon
Hosting its first Pride festival, Muskegon will hold a parade in downtown on Saturday, June 3, at 10:30 a.m. The family-friendly festival will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Unruly Brewing Company, 360 W. Western Ave. The official after party, a $15 ticketed event, will also be held from 8:30-11 p.m. at Unruly. muskegonpridecenter.wixsite.com/website
Niles
Niles PrideFest is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, at Riverfront Park. No further details were available at press time. outcenter.org/pridefest.
Ortonville
Saturday, June 3, Abigail's Pride will return to downtown Ortonville from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a parade, food trucks, children's games, entertainment, vendors, speakers and more. abigailspride.godaddysites.com.
Owosso
Owosso's Pride 2023, themed "Every Castle Needs a Queen," will happen in Curwood Castle Park, 224 Curwood Castle Drive, on June 24, from 2-6 p.m., featuring music, local entertainment, vendors, photo opportunities and more. facebook.com/OwossoPride.
Port Huron
Port Huron's Blue Water Pride will take place June 23-25. No further details were known at press time. facebook.com/BlueWaterPride.
Rochester
Rochester Pride in the Park will be held Saturday, June 24, from 1-4 p.m. at Rochester Municipal Park, 400 6th St. The festivities will be held in the Kiwanis Pavilion and include live music, free swag, food, crafts, speakers, a parade and more. foreverpride.org.
Royal Oak
Royal Oak Pride will be held Aug. 4-5. No further details were available at press time. royaloakpride.com
South Lyon
Saturday, July 8, South Lyon's Pride in the Park will take place from noon-5 p.m. in McHattie Park on S. Lafayette St. More information forthcoming. facebook.com/SouthLyonPride.
St. Claire Shores
The Saint Clair Shores Residents for Equality will present the second annual St. Clair Shores Pride March on Sunday, June 25, at 11 am. Speakers will address the crowd at 11 a.m. behind the Chapoton Pump Station, 23001 E. Nine Mile Road, and the march route will travel Jefferson Ave. to Blossom Health Park, to the end of the pier, then back to the start. facebook.com/events/108974112207197.
St. John's
Saturday, June 3, from noon-4 p.m., downtown St. John's will host Pride Fest along W. Higham St. No further information was available at press time.
St. Ignace
The third annual Saint Ignace Pride Festival will take place on Saturday, June 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m at American Legion Park 200 N. State St. The morning will begin with relaxing group activities before transitioning into a party and cookout atmosphere for the afternoon. straitspride.org/events.
Three Rivers
The very first Three Rivers Pride Festival will take place in downtown Three Rivers on Saturday, June 24, featuring live music, DJs, a drag show, food, vendors, games and more during the hours of noon-9 p.m. facebook.com/threeriverspride.
Traverse City
Saturday, June 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a Pride Carnival will be held Traverse City's Northwestern Michigan College, 1701 E. Front St. No further information was available at press time.
Up North Pride will be held in Traverse City from September 27th through October 1. Details are yet to come. upnorthpride.com.
Vermontville
Vermontville Youth Pride, Michigan's only Pride celebration dedicated to youth, their families and allies, will take place Saturday, August 19, at 108 N. Main St. The day will include entertainment, games, shopping, activities, food, resources, giveaways, dancing and live music from Nikki Holland and the Dirty Elizabeths. facebook.com/VermontvilleYouthPride.
Ypsilanti
Friday, June 2, Ypsi Pride will feature two stages of live musical acts, burlesque and drag, dozens of vendors, community organizations, family programming and multiple after-party options. The main event runs from 4-10 p.m. in Depot Town. facebook.com/YpsiPride.
Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: LGBTQ Pride Month 2023: Michigan parades, celebrations, events in June
