Ohio's second largest metropolis has a sizable gay and lesbian community, and the city's Cleveland Gay Pride celebration has become quite popular, not only with locals but with travelers from elsewhere in Ohio as well as across the border in western Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana. Cleveland Gay Pride takes place in mid-June (on June 20, in 2009) and takes downtown at a park overlooking Lake Erie, right behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Shop for the best hotel deals in Cleveland during Gay Pride
Here's a brief preview of Cleveland Gay Pride in 2009:
The Cleveland Pride Festival takes place on Saturday, June 20, from noon until 9 pm, at Voinovich Bicentennial Park (north end of E. 9th St.). Entertainment at the festival this year includes the band Audiblethread, singer and activist Houston Bernard, the Blazing River Freedom Band, Jaclyn Bradley, Diana Chittester, Anthony Covatta, Coyote Grace, and a long list of other talented performers - here's a complete overview There are three stages at the festival, plus a beer garden, children's pavilion, and countless vendors and organizations from the Cleveland GLBT community.
Preceding the festival on Saturday, June 20, the <a href="http://www.clevelandpride.org/home/festival/parade/">Cleveland Gay Pride Parade</a> leaves from West 3rd Street and West St. Clair Avenue, heads north on 3rd, east on Lakeside Avenue East, and then north on East 9th Street past the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to festival at Voinovich Park. Here's a map of the Cleveland Pride Parade Route.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check local gay papers, such as Gay People's Chronicle for details. For visitor information on Cleveland, check out the excellent GLBT travel site created by the Cleveland Convention & Visitors Bureau.
