As you might guess, Salt Lake City has Utah's largest and most visible GLBT community, and it's also the site in early June of Utah Gay Pride - this year, 2009, it takes place June 5 through June 7. Here's a quick look at the events that made up Utah Gay Pride in 2009, which is presented by the Utah Pride Center:
Shop for rooms and compare rates on hotels in Salt Lake City during Gay PrideThe Utah Pride festivities kick off Friday night, June 5, with a Grand Marshal Reception (Cleve Jones, the activist who conceived of the AIDS quilt and who was portrayed in the film Milk is the Grand Marshal this year), which takes place at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center.
Then on Saturday, June 6, there's one big Pride Rally along with three different Pride Marches (Interfaith, at 3:30; Dyke March, also at 3:30; and Pride March, at 4:30). The marches all take place near the rally - here's a map of the march routes.
The Pride Rally on Saturday takes place from 4 pm until 11 pm at Washington Square and begins with opening ceremonies at the Utah Federal Building, led by Cleve Jones. The headlining performer at Utah Pride this year is comedian Paula Poundstone, but there's also dancing to DJs Kyle (North Stage) and Nick James (South Stage). In the evening, from 9 pm on, there's a Dance Party to conclude the festival.
Wake up Sunday morning, June 7, ready to take part in the main Utah Pride Parade (yes, they like their parades in here in Utah), which starts at State Street and 300 South at 10 am. Then it's back to Washington Square for another full day of the Pride Festival, running from 10 am until 6 pm, with entertainment on the Main and Pride stages commencing at 11:30 and featuring a wide array of performers, including Cody Dew, Sister Wives, Sotto Voce, Debi Graham, comedian Karen Bayard, Kid Madusa, and many others.
Tickets to the Grand Marshal reception and the festival performances are available online, or in person at each event (just be prepared to wait in line, if you buy tickets the day of).
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 Q Salt Lake Gay and Lesbian News for details.
