HILO, Hawaii (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi Island LGBTQ+ Pride parade and festival returns to downtown Hilo this Saturday, June 29, for its 13th annual parade and festival.
“We’re really excited to have our 13th annual Pride Parade and Festival this Saturday,” said Phillip Russell, spokesperson for Hawaiʻi Island LGBTQ+ Pride in Hilo. “[Our] parade kicks off downtown at 11 a.m., and our festival goes from noon to 4 p.m. at the Moʻoheau Bandstand.”
Live music and family fun fill the schedule
Russell said the event is packed with entertainment for all ages.
“We’ve got lots of great entertainment. Five bands lined up at the bandstand,” he said. “We have a drag stage. We have people on stilts. We have a keiki area with bounce houses.”
He added that the event is open to everyone.
“It’s very family friendly, free and open to everyone,” Russell said. “[We’re] very excited to do this again.”
There will also be more than 50 vendors and informational booths.
“So, great food, good news and lots of fun,” added Russell.
Free for the public and full of pride
Russell confirmed the event is free.
“It is completely free and open to the public,” he said. “We just ask that you come with open hearts and lots of love and pride.”
For more information, Russell encouraged people to visit their website. “You can find more information on our website,” he said. “Or follow us on Instagram or Facebook at Hawaiʻi Island Pride.”
You can click here to access the Hawaii Island LGBTQ+ Pride website, here for their Facebook page and here for their Instagram.
The theme this year is We Will Not Be Moved.
“The T-shirts feature that theme along with a brick wall,” Russell said. “It’s kind of representing Stonewall Inn, where Pride started from.”