TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — After a hiatus in 2021 due to the pandemic, Tucson Pride is bringing back the state's oldest and longest-running Pride celebration this weekend, beginning with the downtown parade the evening of Friday, Sept. 30.
The event is celebrating its 45th year. The festival attracted more than 5,000 people in 2019, the last time it was held in person. According to organizers, the annual Tucson Pride celebration had humble beginnings, starting with a picnic in the park in 1977.
This year's Friday evening parade will begin at Stone Avenue and 15th Street and head northbound to Ochoa, where the procession will head east towards the Children's Museum before terminating in front of Armory Park.
Map credit: Tucson Pride
The parade is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. The City of Tucson has announced the following street closures:
On Friday, Sept. 30, from 7-9 p.m., the following downtown streets will be closed for the Tucson Pride Parade.
— Tucson Department of Transportation & Mobility (@Tucson_DTM) September 30, 2022
🚫 Stone Ave, from 18th St to Ochoa St
🚫 6th Ave, from 18th St to 12th St
Plan ahead! Expect delays if traveling in this area. pic.twitter.com/YeHGqAen26
Tucson Pride continues its '45 Years of Pride in the Desert' through the weekend, with ticketed events Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, the all-day Tucson Pride Festival will be an all-day event at Reid Park, featuring musical performances throughout the day at the Georges DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center:
- Tickets available at TucsonPride.org
- $15 for adults
- $5 for young adults (ages 13 - 17)
- Saturday, Oct. 1
- noon - 10 p.m.
- Full performance lineup at the Tucson Pride Facebook page
Tucson Pride Weekend concludes with a Drag Brunch at Tucson Highwire downtown, featuring a buffet-style meal and performances by Allonna Dee, Trouble and Onika Grande.
The brunch runs from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., with tickets available online. Attendees under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
RELATED: LGBTQ+ community fights for visibility, inclusion during Pride Month
'Tucson Pride Festival 2021' postponed until next year
——
Anne Simmons is the digital executive producer for KGUN 9. Anne got her start in television while still a student at the University of Arizona. Before joining KGUN, she managed multiple public access television stations in the Bay Area and has worked as a video producer in the non-profit sector. Share your story ideas and important issues with Anne by emailing anne.simmons@kgun9.com or by connecting on Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.
