Lansing Pride, the community-based non-profit organization in its second year of supporting the area's LGBTQIA+ community, will host the 2023 Lansing Pride Festival in Old Town Lansing on Saturday, June 17. Building on its over 3000 attendees last year, this year will add more vendors, more performances, and expects an even larger crowd to attend.
Like last year, the festival is free to all and will feature live music and performances, as well as food from local vendors. The festival will overlap with the 2023 Lansing Juneteenth Celebration, allowing attendees to recognize the history and connections of Black and LGTBQIA+ communities.
“We want everyone to come together and celebrate who we are as a community ,” said Ben Dowd, President of Lansing Pride. “We work closely with the community and Lansing local businesses which results in a highly promoted and visible event,” Dowd went on to say. “This year’s event shares the weekend with the 517 Juneteenth Weekend, and we are proud to be working with them to align these two celebrations.”
This year’s 517 Juneteenth Weekend will include four days of events, musical acts, and community outreach from June 15th - 18th. “The large intersection between the Pride community and the Black community will benefit the most from our sharing this weekend, and we are excited to be bringing together all humans under an umbrella of connection and celebration,” said Mikeyy Austin, Founder and Director at OURSpace, the group behind the 517 Juneteenth Weekend.
Lansing Pride is excited to welcome all of our new and returning vendors, sponsors, and supporters representing many parts of Lansing and the State of Michigan. “Vendors from last year are returning with a fervor that we are so excited to see, and spots are filling fast,” said Linda Sarnelli, Director at Lansing Pride. Parties interested in joining this year can find more information at the Lansing Pride website: https://www.lansingpride.org
The Lansing Pride organization is supported by volunteers from all over the state. Nearly 150 people helped bring 2022 to its success last year, and this year the organization has doubled its volunteer base. To find out more about volunteering with Lansing Pride, visit us at https://www.lansingpride.org/volunteer
And just in case you couldn’t attend last year, the Lansing Pride Board recommends you remember your umbrella!