The City of Wilton Manors Celebrates Gay Pride Month with Annual Stonewall Pride Street Festival and Parade

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Jun 18, 2014, 04:00 ET

WILTON MANORS, Fla., June 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Wilton Manors' signature event, Stonewall Pride Wilton Manors, will be held Saturday, June 21, 2014 from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. along Wilton Drive. This year's mega street festival and parade will also welcome headliner, Sheila E.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140618/119312

Stonewall Pride Wilton Manors. (PRNewsFoto/The City of Wilton Manors)

"This is a community-wide event that draws a diverse crowd of approximately 30,000 individuals and families each year," states Gary Resnick, Mayor of Wilton Manors. "The parade, street vendors, and live performances really offer something for everyone and we are just so thrilled to be hosting this celebration for the 15th consecutive year."

The festival is held in honor of the Stonewall Riots. Tired of harassment from the New York Police Department, the city's gay community staged a series of violent demonstrations on June 27, 1969. Each year, gay communities across the country hold events to honor the riots.

In addition to the parade and live performances, Stonewall Pride's organizers, Pride South Florida, said there would also be HIV/AIDS education and testing.

"Is there enjoyment? Yes. But there's going to be education and enlightenment," said Corey Boyd, Pride South Florida. "The role of the Stonewall event should be one of bringing to light the fact that members of [the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community] still do not have all our rights."

Lining the entire length of Wilton Drive will be vendor booths, food trucks, drink tents and non-profit organizations. The main stage will be located at Northeast 6th Avenue providing entertainment throughout the day. Two additional stages will also be set-up.

Parking for Stonewall will be $10 and will be available in the following lots: City Hall, 2020 Wilton Drive; 8^th Terrace Lot, Northeast 8^th Terrace and Northeast 26^th Street; Municipal Complex, 2100 Dixie Highway; Richardson Park, 1937 Wilton Drive; Iberia Bank, 2465 Wilton Drive; Fort Lauderdale High School, 1600 NE 4^th Avenue. VIP passes will be good at all locations.

Visit http://www.stonewallpridewiltonmanors.com for more information about the festival or call 954-566-3704 for information about parking.

ABOUT THE CITY OF WILTON MANORS
Wilton Manors was laid out in 1925 by Edward John "Ned" Willingham, a land developer from Georgia, as an upscale residential community. It was recognized as a Village in 1947 and incorporated as a City in 1953. Today, the City of Wilton Manors offers all the benefits of a big city from shopping, to hip restaurants and bars, a burgeoning arts community and tons of community events, yet still maintains a cozy, community-feeling offering miles of natural waterways perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding and other outdoor activities. Recently named the "Second Gayest City" in the United States, the City of Wilton Manors celebrates a diverse population of approximately 12,000 residents. To learn more about the live, work and play opportunities in Wilton Manors call (954) 390-2100 or visit www.wiltonmanors.com

CONTACT: Laurie Menekou, (954) 271-4666 (or) [email protected]

SOURCE The City of Wilton Manors