America's 13th-largest city, Indianapolis has experienced ups and downs over the past half-century, but it's definitely in an "up" mood of late, with ambitious redevelopments of downtown neighborhoods; outstanding museums, theaters, and sports venues; and an increasingly visible gay and lesbian community. The city is host of a quite popular Indy Gay Pride celebration in mid-June, which includes a number of smaller events and parties during the preceding week. Indy's Circle City Gay Pride takes place the second week in June, with the Gay Pride Parade and Festival set for Saturday, June 8, 2013, a full two weeks before the Midwest's most famous such event, Chicago Gay Pride.
Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in Indianapolis during Gay Pride.
During the week leading up to Pride, you can attend a number of related events and activities, including a Community Picnic Pride Skate, Pet Pride, a Pride of Indy Concert, Indy Pride Bag Ladies' Show and Girl Pride, and several other gatherings. More on Indy Gay Pride 2013 will be posted here as information becomes available - here's a look back at last year's event, in the meantime.
The Parade (aka the Cadillac Barbie in Pride Parade) takes place at 10 am on Saturday, and begins as it traditionally has in the Mass Avenue Arts District at the corner of Mass Ave. and N. College Ave.. It and then continues southwest down Mass Avenue, then turns west onto Michigan Street, then north on Meridian, ending at St. Clair Street and this year's new festival venue, American Legion Mall. Here's a map of the parade route.
From 11 am until 7 pm on Saturday, the Circle City IN Pride Festival takes place right where the parade ends, at lovely American Legion Mall, at E. St. Clair and N. Meridian streets. The festival includes dozens of vendors and organizations from the community as well as a Main Stage, with live music performances and DJ tunes all day long. Headlining entertainers this year include Deborah Cox and Cazwell.
Additionally, numerous bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Gay Pride. Check local gay papers, such as the The Word for details. And be sure to check out the helpful GLBT travel website of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association.
