SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego’s 50th annual Pride Festival is underway and thousands took to the streets of Hillcrest Saturday to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
The San Diego Pride Parade kicked off festivities Saturday morning, starting at the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Avenue and Normal Street, ending at Quince Drive. The total route was 1.5 miles long.
Spirit of Stonewall rally kicks off Pride weekend in San Diego This year’s theme, “Making History Now,” is in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ+ pride marches in San Diego.
“The first Pride Parades, there were people who had bags on their head, because they could get fired if anybody recognized them; it was way smaller,” remembered Pride Parade attendee Ryan Moore.
How the pioneers of San Diego Pride helped shape the global movement It’s now considered one of the biggest Pride celebrations in the U.S., attracting over 300,000 people.
“Must have been 10 years ago, there was a tear gas incident in front of Rich’s, said attendee Kenny Ard.
“The parade got tear gassed, they never found out who did that,” said Moore.
Security was top of mind Saturday. Attendees were joined by additional officers from state and federal agencies as well as agencies from across San Diego County. “We have all the different resources and tools that are available to us to help keep everybody safe,” said new San Diego police chief, Scott Wahl.
Security enhancements planned for San Diego Pride weekend San Diego Pride: Everything you need to know from parking to road closures This year, police chief Wahl wanted to show a different side of law enforcement, and decided San Diego Police would march out of uniform.
“I really wanted to show the human side of our police officers,” said Wahl “This is really a great opportunity for us to show support for the LGBTQ community, show support for the members in our organization that are a part of the community.”
Pride-themed storytimes planned at dozens of San Diego Public Library branches The parade led into the two-day San Diego Pride Festival in Balboa Park. The festival, which requires paid admission, began shortly after the parade wrapped up Saturday, and resumes Sunday, July 21 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online starting at $38.
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