Although the Wolverine State has its own Michigan Gay Pride in the capital city of Lansing in mid-June, the largest city in the region, Detroit hosts its own well-attended Motor City Pride in early June. The festival takes place in the gay-popular suburb of Ferndale, and in 2009, the date is Sunday, June 7.
Book rooms and compare rates at hotels in metro Detroit during Gay Pride
Here's a quick look at what you can expect at Motor City Pride/Detroit Gay Pride in 2009:
Detroit's Pride Festival takes place on Sunday, June 7, from noon until 8 pm along West 9 Mile Road between Woodward Avenue and Planavon Avenue. From downtown Detroit, it's about a 20-minute (12-mile) drive northwest via I-75 north, then west on 9 Mile Road.
Participants at the Motor City Pride Festival can hang out at the huge Beer Garden, check out the Lambda Car Show (hey, it is the Motor City, right?), visit with gay-friendly organizations and businesses from throughout the region, and watch live performers - this year's musicians include the Great Lakes Pride Band, Jane of Arc, the Fundamentalists, Namoli Brennet, Nervous But Excited, the Detroit Drag Review, and Greek-American pop singer and actor Paul Lekakis (he of the famous hit "Boom Boom (Let's Go Back to My Room") dance single from 1987.
The festival is preceded by kids-oriented a Pride Family Picnic, which starts at 10:30 am and lasts until 12:30 pm and includes sack races, games, and plenty of other activities appropriate for the younger ones. The picnic takes place in the northeastern Ferndale's bucolic Martin Road Park (enter the parking lot at Orchard Ave. and Martin Rd.).
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride. Check local gay papers, such as Metra Magazine and Between The Lines/Pride Source for details.
