Ann Arbor welcomes thousands to Pride festival

The Jim Toy Community Center, an organization supporting the Washtenaw County queer community since 1995, and community partners hosted thousands of visitors to celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride August 3 for an all-day event. The festivities took place on Main and Liberty streets in downtown Ann Arbor, and included two stages for performances on both streets. The turnout for this event was predicted to double from previous years, as organizers expected anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 people. 

The performances ranged from singing and dancing to drag performances and live music. More than 10 performers, including drag entertainer Sasha Colby, winner of the 15th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, entertained crowds throughout the day. In an interview with WEMU News, Joe Halsh, President of the Tim Joy Community Center, described the different types of entertainment attendees could expect at Pride.  

“Lots of food, two stages of entertainment, everything from drag shows to choirs to a couple of different shows, belly dancing, a really kind of diverse group of what entertainment is,” Halsh said.

Ann Arbor Pride was first celebrated in 1995 and was previously known as OUTFest. Since then, Ann Arbor has hosted speakers, vendors and performers for the annual celebration. More than 150 vendors lined the streets selling jewelry, paintings, clothing and other hand-made items. 

Sam Dickman, a volunteer for Affirmations, an LGBTQIA+ community center in and a vendor at the event, told The Michigan Daily at the event about the organization’s work in the community. 

“Here in the tent for Pride, I am just telling people about Affirmations and talking about the great resources that we have for everyone in the Queer community,” Dickman said. “Affirmations is a community center in Ferndale, Michigan and does anything and everything, from youth who just need a safe space to be themselves to adults coming out later in life.” 

In an interview with The Daily, Brianna King, a Pride volunteer, said the energy was wonderful at the event. 

“I just wanted to be a part of what makes Pride awesome,” King said. “This is my first time volunteering at an event like this but the energy has been very good today. Everyone seems to be very happy and enjoying the event.” 

First-year Medical student Mackenzie Kay spoke with The Daily about what brought them to the event.

“I am from the (San Francisco) Bay Area and go to Pride events there every year,” Kay said. “I live just down the street, so I just wanted to come and see what Ann Arbor Pride was all about. I love all of the local vendors and all of the political organizations coming to get people to sign up. I definitely put my name down for a few things.” 

In an interview with MLive, Halsh said Ann Arbor Pride highlights some of the best parts of Washtenaw County. 

“What I like most about Ann Arbor Pride is I think it really highlights Washtenaw County as we are,” Halsh said. “I think we do a really good job representing all of Washtenaw County’s best.” 

Summer News Editor Emma Lapp can be reached at emmalapp@umich.edu.

The post Ann Arbor welcomes thousands to Pride festival appeared first on The Michigan Daily.


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