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LA PRIDE Guide: The Parade, The Festival And Street Closures
(Photo by Calvin Fleming via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
It's LA PRIDE 2014 this weekend! There are parties all over the place and of course, the 44th Annual PRIDE Parade. Here's a quick guide to the main festival and parade in WeHo, and the best ways to navigate the crowded, rainbow-filled streets. The Parade
Grand Marshall Demi Lovato will be leading the parade this year and spectators are strongly encouraged to show up early to get a spot. 400,000 people show up to this annual spectacle, so the best way to enjoy the festivities is to walk or use the shuttle to get there, stake out a vantage point and marvel at the floats.
The parade begins Sunday at 11 a.m. The route runs down Santa Monica Blvd. from Crescent Heights Blvd. to Robertson Blvd.
Street Closures
San Vicente Blvd. between Santa Monica Blvd. and Melrose Ave., 7 p.m. Thursday through 10 a.m. Monday.
Santa Monica Blvd. between Fairfax Ave. and Doheny Dr., 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Also, all streets crossing Santa Monica Blvd. in the same area will be closed one block north and one block south during this time.
Crescent Heights Blvd. between Romaine St. and Fountain Ave. from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
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You should be aware that traffic is going to be pretty intense this weekend, so you might want to consider not driving all the way to WeHo, but using the free PRIDE Ride shuttle instead (see below). If you do drive…
Parking
PRIDE suggests parking east of Fairfax, at the Pacific Design Center, the Kings Road parking structure or at the Beverly Center.
Parking permits will not be in effect in the area from 4 p.m. Friday until 7 a.m. Monday. On Sunday, meters will be free.
Free PRIDE Ride Shuttle
The free PRIDE Ride Shuttle courtesy of Metro will run every 15 minutes in a loop along Santa Monica Blvd. between Robinson Blvd. and Fuller Ave.
The map and details on the shuttle and detours are available via The Source here.
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Metro Detours
Metro Bus 10, 30 (330) and Rapid 706 detour at San Vicente Blvd., Melrose Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd. from Thursday night until Monday morning.
Metro Bus 2, 4, 10, 30, 105, 217, 218 and Rapid 704 detour at several locations on Sunday for the parade. Read the full list here.
Annual WeHo Dyke March
This rally for the lesbian community includes a march down Santa Monica Blvd. to the festival grounds for a free concert, Lavendar Menance. Performers include Mary Lambert and Betty Who.
WeHo Social Hour, 5-7 p.m.
WeHo Dyke March, 7 p.m.
Lavendar Menance, ends at midnight
Trans*Party LA
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This party for the trans community is also free, starts Friday night at 7 p.m. and features Nikki Exotika, Audrey Cobra, Ryan Cassata and more.
The Festival
The festival runs noon to midnight on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday. It's located between Santa Monica Blvd. and Melrose Ave. bounded by San Vicente and Robertson boulevards. You can expect food, drink, vendors, performances, a roller disco, art and Erotic City—that's where the folks from the Tom of Finland Foundation can be found. General admission tickets start at $20. (Full details and ticket pricing here.)
Performances
Friday (free): Mary Lambert, Betty Who, Z Lala, Monogem, Marley Munroe
Saturday: Azealia Banks, Jennifer Hudson, Katja Glieson, Kingdoms, Jeremy Thurbur
Sunday: Danity Kane, The Bangles, Kristina Debarge, Derek Jameson, Glass Battles, Teammate, Ryan Cassata
For more performers, see LA Pride’s Schedule.
Special Events and Deals
And, of course, there will be parties and specials everywhere at surrounding bars and shops. Additionally, there are some parties outside of WeHo that may interest you, like JD Samson (Le Tigre, MEN) at the ACE Hotel in DTLA or Bearracuda featuring DJs and go-go Bears at the Dragonfly in Hollywood. Whatever your flavor, stay hydrated, stay safe and have fun.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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