Fort Worth Pride continues with picnic on Saturday at Trinity Park
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| AMERICAN’S PRIDE | The American Airlines float moves down Jennings Street in Fort Worth during the Tarrant County Gay Pride Parade last Sunday, Oct. 4. There was a record turnout this year for the event. |
Despite the rain, the Fort Worth Pride parade ran as scheduled on Sunday, Oct. 4, with a record number of entries and spectators along the route.
Tarrant County Gay Pride Week Association spokesman Tony Coronado said, “It rained all morning for set up but stopped at about 1 p.m.”
Awards were given in five categories. Sara Straten, Fort Worth’s police liaison to the LGBT community, was among the judges.
Celebration Community Church won for best overall entry. Business winner was Copa Cabana, with Rainbow Lounge placing as runner up. Best out-of-town entry was Resource Center Dallas.
Not-for-profit winner was Trinity River Bears and Texas Gay Rodeo Association was second. The religious winner was DFW — What Would Jesus Do? First runner-up in that category was Westside Unitarian Church.
This weekend, the Pride Picnic takes place at Trinity Park in Fort Worth. Usually a larger event than the parade, the picnic takes place at the arts pavilion in Trinity Park from noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 10.
A new main stage will feature local talent. Some of the performers include Tami McDonald, Judy Christopher and Jeffery McGuire.
Also new this year is a health and wellness area that will distribute information from a number of vendors. The Tarrant County health department will conduct HIV testing.
Other highlights of the picnic are Pride Pets that begins with a parade of dogs, and Pride Kids featuring games, contests and prizes for children. McGruff the crime dog will be there with the Fort Worth police who will be doing children’s IDs.
Retail vendors and concessions, volleyball, horseshoes and tug of war will be part of the picnic.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition October 9, 2009.