GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — In it's 36th year, organizers of Grand Rapids Pride Festival are expecting even more visitors than ever before.
The annual event is slated to take over Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids this Saturday, June 22.
Jazz McKinney, executive director of the Grand Rapids Pride Center says they're expecting even more visitors than last year. They say around 35,000 visitors flocked to Calder Plaza in 2023. This year, they say the event will draw even more.
"I've already heard we're getting a lot of folks coming from Chicago, Detroit," said McKinney. "Those are just the things that we truly appreciate and love about the Pride Festival that it truly just brings together all folks to just celebrate being who you are no matter who you are."
McKinney said the event will expand to Ionia Street this year, creating a larger footprint than in festivals past.
That expansion also includes more street vendors, according to McKinney.
"A lot of them are local, queer owned artists, a lot of queer owned businesses," said McKinney.
Pride Festival and the heat wave
13 ON YOUR SIDE asked GR Pride organizers about how they're preparing to handle the oppressive heat the region has been experiencing in the last week, which is expected to continue this weekend.
Organizers are urging festival goes to take care of themselves, wear weather appropriate clothing and drink plenty of water, among other things.
There will be free water available and medics at the ready at the festival, McKinney said.
"Calder Plaza doesn't have a whole lot of shade," said McKinney. "So, you know, just kind of listening to your body, taking care of yourself. But we'll be there as well to help making sure we'll have that water. We'll have, you know, different places to sit down."
Grand Rapids Pride Festival is this Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. at Calder Plaza downtown.
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