Photography by Ludovic Bertron, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
For a tradition sliding into its middle ages, St. Louis Pridefest doesn’t appear to be losing a step. In fact, a look at the festival’s event schedule makes us think it’s planning to unveil a few new ones on the dance floor this year. The event attracted 125,000 people last year, and at least that many are expected to show for the downtown party at Soldiers’ Memorial on June 28 and 29. The event includes two days of festivities (from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday), with free concerts, exhibits on LGBT history, a wreath-laying memorial to honor LGBT soldiers, and the second biggest parade in town.
On Monday, SLM covered the growth of the event and what to look out for inside the festival grounds. But St. Louis’ pride can’t be contained to a handful of city blocks, and it's hard to imaging going home after Glee star Alex Newell closes out Saturday night at 9:30. Here are some places to consider visiting beyond the main festival grounds.
Accessorize
When St. Louis Pride starts a-rocking, the rainbow-garbed come a-flocking. Don’t be caught looking like a Plain Jane. Stock up on Pride at Cheap TRX with do-dads and accessories: rainbow flags, coozies, glasses, bandanas, and dog leashes. 3211 S. Grand, 314-664-4011.
Proud, Together
Same-sex marriage became legal in the Land of Lincoln on June 1. To celebrate the civil-rights achievement, the 7th annual Metro East Pride festival will hold its first legal wedding ceremony at 2 p.m. on the festival’s mainstage in downtown Belleville, Ill. Father Marek Bożek of the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in St. Louis will officiate the ceremonies. After a public wedding reception, complete with champagne toasts and cake, the festival will feature a drag show and performances by Michelle McCausland and Summer Osborne. June 21, Downtown Belleville. 12 p.m. - 10 p.m., prideswi.com
Neighborhood Pride
Tower Grove has long been a hub for St. Louis Pride festivities, and it continues to be despite the main event moving downtown in 2013. In May, Tower Grove Pride organizer Angela Olegna offered a preview of the event for SLM. This year's festival will begin with a picnic at Tower Grove Farmers’ Market on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, then migrate to the Big Gay Block Party at the intersection of Grand and Hartford, about a 20-minute walk east. The block party runs till 9 p.m. It will include live local music, a drag show, art-and-craft vendors. Tower Grove Park from 10 a.m. - noon, Grand and Hartford from noon - 9.p.m., towergrovepride.com
After-Parties
For many St. Louisans, the night will just be beginning when the downtown festival finishes around 9:30 p.m. Many area gay bars will offer another five-and-a-half hours of drinks, drag shows, and dancing. One of the closest options downtown, the Overtime closing event, will take place just a few blocks from the festival grounds, at Lucas Park Grille (1234 Washington). Entrance is free, and three DJs will spin until 11 p.m.
And of course, The Grove, with its many LGBT watering holes, will be a rollicking and wild place to party. Rehab, Attitudes, Ernies 32º, Bad Dog Bar and Grill, Meyer’s Grove, and Just John are all along that strip of Manchester. (Just John will offer shuttles from the bar to downtown from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.)
