The San Diego LGBT Pride celebration will return to Hillcrest this weekend with lively events spanning three days, including the famous Pride Parade.
San Diego Pride 2016 officially begins at 6 p.m. Friday with the annual Spirit of Stonewall Rally at Marston Point – on Balboa Drive and 8th Avenue. The ceremony will reflect on the roots of Pride, including San Diego’s first ever Stonewall Rally, which was held in 1975.
After the ceremony, the Pride Block Party will brighten up night in the heart of Hillcrest. The block party goes down from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Normal Street and University Avenue, with DJs, carnival rides, food trucks and more. General admission to the block party is $25.
On Saturday, the Pride Parade will take over the streets of Hillcrest, with spectators lining the route and colorful, fun floats at the center of it all.
The Pride Parade begins at 11 a.m. at the iconic Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Avenue and Normal Street. The 1.1-mile route heads west on University Avenue, turns south on 6th, left onto Balboa Drive and ends at Laurel Street.
After the parade, revelers can look forward to the San Diego Pride Music Festival, which takes place at Marston Point at 6th Avenue and Laurel Street in Balboa Park from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and again Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. This year’s headliner is pop singer Kesha.
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Organizers say the Pride Music Festival includes multiple stages of entertainment, more than 200 musicians, bands, comedians, dancers, an art exhibit, cultural presentations and dozens of vendors. Approximately 40,000 people are expected to fill the music festival; tickets start at $20 per person.
According to a study released Thursday by San Diego State University’s (SDSU) Hospitality Department, 20,000 people who attend San Diego Pride festivities this weekend are visiting from out of town, spanning 37 states and 14 countries.
With huge crowds anticipated at each Pride event throughout the weekend, there will be some road closures in effect in Hillcrest, as well a “no parking” zones.
This includes Normal and Harvey Milk streets, which will be closed starting at 6 a.m. Friday for the Pride of Hillcrest Block Party.
These streets will be closed at 6 a.m. and open by 4 p.m. on Saturday:
• Centre Street (from University Avenue to Park Boulevard)
• Lincoln Ave (from Cleveland Avenue to Park Boulevard)
• Normal Street (from University Avenue to Washington Street)
• Harvey Milk Street (from Cleveland Avenue to Centre Street)
Also, these streets will be closed at 9 a.m. and open by 4 p.m. on Saturday
• University Avenue (from 6th Avenue to Park Boulevard)
• Evans Place (from 5th to 6th avenues)
• 6th Avenue (from Upas Street to University Avenue)
• Pennsylvania Avenue (from 5th to 6th avenues)
• Balboa Drive in Balboa Park
• Brookes Avenue (from 5th to 6th avenues)
• Robinson Avenue (from 5th to 6th avenues)
• Ivy Lane (from 5th to 6th avenues)
“No Parking” zones for Pride Weekend include:
• Centre Street (from University Avenue to Park Boulevard)
• Normal Street (from University Avenue to Washington Street)
• Robinson Avenue (from 5th to 6th avenues)
• Lincoln Avenue (from Cleveland Avenue to Park Boulevard)
• Evans Place (from 5th to 6th avenues)
• Harvey Milk Street (from Cleveland Avenue to Centre Street)
• Pennsylvania Avenue (from 5th to 6th avenues)
• University Avenue (from 6th Avenue to Park Boulevard)
• Brookes Avenue (from 5th to 6th avenues)
• 6th Avenue (from Upas Street to University Avenue)
• Ivy Lane (from 5th to 6th avenues)
• Balboa Drive in Balboa Park
• Polk Avenue (from Normal Street to Park Boulevard)
Pride organizers say Pride attendees can park in free lots both Saturday and Sunday at the Old Naval Hospital at Park Boulevard and President’s Way. A Pride shuttle will transport attendees from the free parking lots to the starting point of the Pride Parade starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, and will also take revelers from the lots to the Music Festival Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Uber and Car2Go services are also ways to get to Pride events this weekend, as well as public transportation via MTS bus or trolley services.
According to a study released Thursday by San Diego State University’s (SDSU) Hospitality Department, 20,000 people who attend San Diego Pride festivities this weekend are visiting from out of town, spanning 37 states and 14 countries.
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said Thursday that Pride is a signature event in San Diego, and a favorite tradition among locals and visitors alike.
The SDSU Hospitality Department study also outlined the economic impact of the large-scale event, saying it generates $11 million for the local economy. Faulconer said Pride is an economic driver that supports local businesses and jobs in San Diego.
San Diego Councilman Todd Gloria said the data shows out-of-towners spend an average of $560 in San Diego during Pride and, while the event helps fuel the local economy, Pride holds an even bigger importance.
Gloria said Pride is still centered on the LGBT community, which must take to the streets to revisit what has been accomplished and what can still be achieved.
