Seattle, its businesses prep for first in-person Gay Pride events since COVID pandemic – msnNOW
For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago, organizers are preparing to stage an in-person Gay Pride fest and parade that are set to return to the streets of Seattle this weekend.
Several major celebrations are expected to draw thousands of revelers to downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill and the Seattle Center.
“The Seattle Pride Parade, aside from a great community celebration, does bring a lot of business to downtown Seattle and the surrounding Seattle neighborhoods,” said Krystal Marx, executive director of Seattle Pride. It’s “a huge economic driver to the city of Seattle.”
Employee Iris Cole is quick to show how much pride merchandise can be found at her Capitol Hill store called the New York Xchange but formerly known as Panache Clothing.
Shoppers packed into the store on Wednesday looking to make pride purchases.
“They are all here picking up pride stuff,” Cole said. “Everyone is getting their last-minute Pride outfits.”
One of those people was Alex Vera, who was geared up and ready to go.
“I don’t have a lot of pride stuff,” Vera said. “I‘m going to try and march or spectate. So, I got a tank top.”
Organizers say Pride Fest Capitol Hill could draw as many as 50,000 to 60,000 participants
“It’s kind of exciting to see the neighborhood more feeling like normal,” Vera said.
In downtown Seattle, Motif Hotel will be hopping on Sunday with its weekly Pride Drag Brunch.
The Seattle Pride Parade is slated for Sunday, and could draw up to half-a-million fans, according to organizers.
“It starts at West Lake Park in downtown Seattle at 4th Avenue,” Marx said. “It goes down to Denny Way (and) is 11 blocks of parade floats and people marching and celebrating the LGBTQ2+ and recommitting to our rights.”