31st Annual Boston Pride Parade

“I will be dancing where Ben Franklin and Sam Adams danced.” – Linda DeMarco

That year, the Women’s Dance was held in the Great Hall of Faneuil Hall. Though the theme was Mardi Gras, the Pride Parade was “much tamer than in recent years”, according to Bay Windows. The beautiful weather brought throngs to the South End and downtown to watch wave after wave of politicians, religious organizations, and only a few of the scantily clad young men or women of prior years.

Some bemoaned a lack of edginess to the Parade while others, including Dick Thorpe of Weymouth, enjoyed it. “I loved it. My first year, I didn’t know what to expect, but this year, I loved it.”^[1]

Grand Marshall: State Rep. Cheryl Jacques Candidate for Lt. Governor

Parade Theme was Mardi Gras

The Route: Started in Copley Sq, up Clarendon St into the South End, the left on Tremont St, left onto Berkeley St, right onto Boylston St, then down to the corner of the Public Garden, where it took a left down to the Boston Common for the Rally.

1st Annual Boston Pride Block Party at Montgomery St. between Clarendon and Dartmouth Sts. DJ Darrin Friedman and DJ She-Bang

Official Events Included: Flag Raising at City Hall, Pride Day at Faneuil Hall, Kick-off Pride Block Party on Merrimac Street, Political Forum at Harvard University (The New Republican Administration), Pride Lights tree lighting ceremony, Mr & Ms. Pride Pageant, Cambridge  Pride Night Gay Pride Film Screening After parties at Campus and Paradise, Boston Pride March and Pridefest on the Boston Common, Women’s Dance at Faneuil Hall, Family Pride Day at the Franklin Park Zoo, Pride Block Party, Pride Closing Teadance at Avalon.