It's Pride Week in St. Cloud. Here's how people are celebrating (and how you can join)
While the leaves are preparing to show off their browns, greens, reds and oranges, St. Cloud is busy celebrating its people's true colors. That's right; It's St. Cloud Pride Week.
This year marks the 13th annual celebration that started Monday, and St. Cloud Pride has events all week long to celebrate members of the LGBTQ community. Here's a roundup of events you can still attend this week.
Tuesday
Where: Great River Regional Library at 1300 W. St. Germain St. in St. Cloud
When: 5:30 p.m.
Details: The walk starts at the library and ends at Lake George. It's a collaboration between local faith groups and St. Cloud Pride intended to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. The event is open to everyone, including those of any faith and those who are not religious.
Wednesday
No events Wednesday
More:It's Pride Month! What is it, and why St. Cloud celebrates in September
Thursday
Where: Beaver Island Brewing Company at 216 Sixth Ave. S. in St. Cloud
When: 6:30 p.m.
Details: Trivia is free to play and there will be prizes. Drink purchases help support St. Cloud Pride.
Where: The Red Carpet Nightclub Main Stage at 11 Fifth Ave. S. in St. Cloud
When: 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 8 p.m.)
Details: This burlesque show is put on by Vendetta Vixens and Nakita's Kittens and feature local queer entertainers. You'll see drag, comedy, modern dance and classic and alternative burlesque. There will also be prizes. Presale tickets are $10. Tickets are also available at the door for $15.
Friday
When: 5-7 p.m.
Where: St. Cloud State University Atwood Memorial Center Student Union, 651 First Ave. S. in St. Cloud
Details: This event is free, but registering for a ticket guarantees you also get a boxed meal. The party is for middle and high schoolers. Masks should be worn.
When: 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.)
Where: The upstairs ballroom in the Atwood Memorial Center at SCSU, 651 First Ave. S. in St. Cloud
Details: Attendees are asked to wear their masks. Tickets are $7 at the door or $5 ahead of time. If you are also attending the youth dance party, it's $3.
Fusion Cabaret Pride Drag Show
When: 10 p.m. (doors open at 9:30 p.m.)
Where: The Red Carpet Nightclub Band Room at 11 Fifth Ave. S. in St. Cloud
Details: Fusion Cabaret is a local cabaret troupe. Tickets are $10 on presale or $15 at the door. Presale tickets are available until Thursday by sending a Venmo of $10 to @fusioncabaretmn (add "Pride2022 in the comments).
Saturday
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Lake George Park, 1101 Seventh St. S. in St. Cloud
Details: In addition to a mix of vendors (including food vendors) and educational booths, there will also be live musicians performing on the main stage. Bring the whole clan; this is a family-friendly event.
When: 11 a.m. to noon
Where: Lake George Park, 1101 Seventh St. S. in St. Cloud
Details: Bring your dog in costume! This year's themes are show your colors (Pride themed), favorite villains and pop culture. Register your dog ahead of time at https://bit.ly/3xdda3d or register day-of from 10-10:45 a.m. at the Tri-County Humane Society station. The Humane Society will receive all proceeds as a donation. It costs $10 to register your dog. The costume contest follows the parade and will be at 11:30 a.m.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: River's Edge Convention Center at 10 Fourth Ave. S in St. Cloud
Details: This show will feature performers from the St. Cloud and Twin Cities area. The show is for people 21 years old and older. Pre-sale tickets are $30 for VIP seating and early admission and $20 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 more. Don't forget to bring cash to tip the performers.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday (immediately following the drag show)
Where: The Red Carpet Nightclub Band Room at 11 Fifth Ave. S. in St. Cloud
Details: The wristband you get attending the drag show Saturday will also get you into the Pride After-Party, or you can pay $5 at the door. The event is for people 21 years old and older.
Sunday
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: The parade runs along St. Germain Street downtown from the River's Edge Convention Center to Ninth Avenue North, then turns onto Ninth toward First Street North. Drivers should note that St. Germain Street from Fourth Avenue to Ninth Avenue and Ninth Avenue North from St. Germain Street to First Street North will be closed for the parade from 1 to 5 p.m.
All week long
Show Your Colors St. Cloud
When: All Pride Week
Where: Your home or business
Details: Show support for the LGBTQ+ community by displaying pride flags or signs at your home or business.
But isn't Pride Month in June?
Yes. Many cities have their parades and celebrations in June. However, because St. Cloud is a college town, the organizers of St. Cloud Pride have focused many of St. Cloud's celebrations in a September pride week in an effort to include students in the festivities.
Pride is a celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. It started following the 1969 police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in the Greenwich Village neighborhood in Manhattan. Police lost control of the raid and violent demonstrations broke out. The inn was set on fire and bar patrons were beaten. The first pride march, held in New York City, celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
St. Cloud Pride began in September 2010 with a mission to "raise awareness regarding issues of heterosexism, homophobia and transphobia within the community," according to the organization.
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: What events are going on in celebration of St. Cloud Pride Week?
