It’s like San Diego becomes ours for one weekend out of the year. We take over the streets, the park, the hotel rooms… we even take over the San Diego Sports Arena and San Diego Zoo! Yes, Pride weekend is here and our annual celebration of everything gay begins. Pride means so many things to so many people, but in the end, it’s a time to strap on our heels and party!

But where does it all begin? Not even the savviest of partiers could possibly take in everything the weekend has to offer, although some people seem to cross out sleep time from their calendars during this 72-hour celebration. Whether you are going to enjoy the daytime festivities, the nighttime parties or take it all in, we’ve tried to encapsulate the best San Diego Pride weekend has to offer throughout these pages.

The official commencement to San Diego Pride starts in Balboa Park on Friday, July 28, at 7:00 p.m. The annual Spirit of Stonewall rally commemorates the brave individuals (including some fierce drag queens) who took to the streets in the summer of 1969 to take a stand against police harassment in New York City. A powerful list of speakers will inspire the crowd to remember what Pride really stands for. Then the nighttime fun begins… (See the next page for details on all of the after-dark happenings.)

Another not-to-be-missed party (not an official Pride party) happening on Friday is Gaywatch with DJ Bryan Pruett at the Lafayette Hotel & Suites, located at 2223 El Cajon Blvd. The party, which runs from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., is being put on by Michael Smith Promotions. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.gaypridesandiego.com.

Roll out of bed on Saturday morning in time to catch San Diego’s largest civic event. The 32nd annual Pride parade will kick off at 11:00 a.m. sharp, and you can catch a glimpse of everything fine, fabulous and flamboyant that San Diego has to offer. Grab your friends and join 150,000 other cheering spectators as more than 200 floats, giant balloons and contingents traverse down University and Sixth avenues toward Balboa Park.

Right after the parade, follow the crowds to Marston Point in the park for the two-day Pride festival. If you haven’t been to the festival lately, this year is certainly one not to miss! Dozens of changes have been made to the festival, and there is now something for everyone. This year there will be 10 stages of live entertainment (with 70-plus performances), three beer gardens, food and beverage booths, and more than 200 exhibitors. For the first time, Pride is introducing T-dances to the festival grounds. Don’t miss the Pride T-Dance on Saturday, July 29, from 5:00 to 9:45 p.m. and the Latin T-Dance (presented by Club Papi and Granda Entertainment) on Sunday, July 30, from 4:00 to 7:45 p.m., both at the Rocket HiNRG Dance Floor. A number of amazing acts have been booked this year, including Deborah Gibson, who will perform Saturday on the JackFM Stage. Remember the old beer garden on the hot pavement parking lot? Pride has moved that to a new shaded area of the festival grounds, and for the first time it will include an Over 21 Stage. Also new this year will be a couples dance floor, expanded Latin Dance Stage area and the Ebony Pride Stage. These are just a few of the exciting changes that have been made to the Pride festival this year, and definitely worth checking out. All of the details about the Stonewall rally, Pride parade and two-day Pride festival can be found by visiting www.sdpride.org.