The Boston Pride Festival on Saturday, June 8th with the headline performer Karmin.
Photo: TRT/Sean Sullivan More photos of the Boston Pride Parade & Festival here.
Dozens of Events Including Parade and Festival Contribute to Record Breaking Year
BOSTON, Mass — Boston Pride announced today that the 2013 Boston Pride Week has surpassed all previous records made in the organization’s history. Close to an estimated 1 million people participated at events throughout Pride Week, May 31 – June 9 that included 10 official Boston Pride events and an additional 40 Pride-related events around the city. More than 250 volunteers worked throughout the week to put on the events.
“Boston Pride would like to thank the thousands of participants, sponsors, spectators and especially the volunteers who made this year’s Boston Pride Week the biggest in our 43-year history,” said Boston Pride President, Linda DeMarco. “We want to thank you, the community, for coming out in full force and showing your support for Boston Pride.” [pullquote]“This year, Boston Pride means even more to our city: Boston Pride is Boston Strong, and we were pleased to have had the chance to be a part of the healing process for our city that has been so supportive to the LGBT community.” — Sylvain Bruni, Boston Pride Board member.[/pullquote]
Despite early weather predictions, the Boston Pride Parade and Festival participants were very fortunate to have had a beautiful, sunny day. The Parade alone had an estimated 400,000 spectators, 20,000 parade marchers, 244 registered groups, 72 vehicles and 22 floats. The Festival boasted close to 130 vendors, 100,000+ attendees including an estimated 35,000 people to watch headlining performer Karmin close out the truly record breaking day.
The ten days of Pride Week stared with the Flag Raising ceremony on City Hall Plaza on May 31 and ended with the Sunday block parties in the Back Bay and Jamaica Plain on June 9. During Pride Week, Boston Pride’s Human Rights & Education Committee held a public event that focused on the role of LGBT people in sports including LGBT athletes and their allies, and Boston Pride hosted the first Pride Night at Fenway Park with the Red Sox. Bringing the community together through a variety of events during Pride Week is Boston Pride’s priority.
“We would also like to thank Boston city officials and the Boston Police Department for working closely with the Boston Pride Committee to make this year’s events safe and successful,” said Boston Pride Board Member Sylvain Bruni. “This year, Boston Pride means even more to our city: Boston Pride is Boston Strong, and we were pleased to have had the chance to be a part of the healing process for our city that has been so supportive to the LGBT community.”
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To see more photos of the Parade and Festival, check out The Rainbow Times’ Facebook page.
About Boston Pride
Boston Pride produces events and activities to achieve inclusivity, equality, respect, and awareness in Greater Boston and beyond. Fostering diversity, unity, visibility and dignity, we educate, communicate and advocate by building and strengthening community connections.
