Gig Harbor is having its first big Pride month celebration, parade. Here’s what to know
Gig Harbor is celebrating Pride month with a parade and a celebration at Skansie Brothers Park for the first time with support from the community.
Festivities will kick off with a Pride march on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 24. That will be followed by Pride in the Park, which will feature music, food vendors, speakers and activities at Skansie Brothers Park from noon to 3 p.m. June 24.
“It’s a special, expressive event where the park is open to all,” said Jennifer Day, the event creator for Pride in the Park. “It’s going to be a wonderful day. I’m so excited.”
Without a previous similar event, Day is unsure what the turnout will be. She’s prepared for a large crowd. Seven food vendors, six pop-up shops, a Seattle DJ, aerial artists and state Sen. Emily Randall plan to attend, Day said.
Madeline Hunter, the owner of French Toast Theatre, is one of many sponsors for Pride in the Park.
“Having an event like this in Gig Harbor means so much to the LGBTQ+ community,” Hunter said. “It’s a step in the right direction and shows that Gig Harbor is becoming a safer place.”
Day said she moved to Gig Harbor two years ago from Tacoma and quickly realized there was little to no LGBTQ+ representation in the city. She wanted to change that.
There have been Pride events in the past, including a small picnic in 2018 and flag giveaways in 2022. There hasn’t been a Pride event in the city as big as Pride in the Park will be, Day said.
Just two months ago, Day created the Facebook community Pride Gig Harbor for LGBTQ+ Gig Harbor residents to collaborate. It quickly had more than 450 members.
“That just proves to me that this is a need and a want in our community,” Day said. “Everyone needs to remember that love is love.”
Day said Pride in the Park welcomes anyone who’d like to come to support the LGBTQ+ community and celebrate Pride month.
“If there are any protesters, honestly, they’ll be protesting a really beautiful event,” Hunter said. “All they’re gonna see are happy people and bubbles!”