You’re invited to our Opening Ceremonies!

PrideFest 2016

Milwaukee Pride, Inc. invites guests to celebrate the opening of PrideFest 2016, the 30th consecutive celebration of Milwaukee’s LGBTQ culture and community, and our 20th anniversary at Henry W. Maier Festival Park.

In honor of these milestones, we will offer free admission from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. so that all guests can attend Opening Ceremonies and our festival Opening Day.

Opening ceremonies begin at 3:00 p.m. sharp in the PrideFest Milwaukee Dance Pavilion and will end promptly at 4:00 p.m.

We are excited to welcome United States Senator Tammy Baldwin as our keynote speaker. Senator Baldwin, the first openly gay (or LGBT) Senator in US history, has long been a champion for LGBTQ people and equality for women, people of color and historically underrepresented communities. She brings a unique perspective in the fight for equality, having served in elected office since 1986.

We also welcome Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele. County Executive Abele has been a committed supporter of the LGBTQ community throughout his personal and professional life. In 2014, he kept the Milwaukee County Courthouse open over the weekend for same-sex couples to marry, following the landmark ruling that overturned Wisconsin’s ban on marriage equality.

Milwaukee Pride, Inc. is proud to present the 2016 Pride Awards, which will be awarded to three honorees:

– Susan Seiler of PFLAG Milwaukee
– Alverno Gay-Straight Alliance
– Wisconsin LGBT Workplace Alliance

We recognize Ash Whitaker of Kenosha, Wisconsin with our first-ever Valor Award, which celebrates an individual who has fought to advance a critical community cause despite great resistance, obstacle or adversity. Ash Whitaker, a high school student, recently partnered with the Transgender Law Center to file a federal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education regarding his school system’s trans-exclusionary policies.

PrideFest welcomes esteemed guests from the United Ethnic Festivals, Summerfest, our #ProudPartners, sponsors, donors and volunteers, our VIP Weekend Experience winner James Mielke and our PrideFest Plus One beneficiary, the Healing Center of Milwaukee.  The national anthem will be performed by Gabriel Sanchez of  The Prince Experience.

Please join us in celebrating these community heroes — and launching an exciting weekend of friends, family and fun at PrideFest Milwaukee 2016!
*Reentry handstamps will only be offered between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.*

All the shows. One ticket.
Your ticket to PrideFest Milwaukee is your access to all shows, on all stages, for all hours of the festival.  Save on gate prices when you buy your 3-day weekend pass online for just $36!  Online sales end at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 10.  The grounds box office will open Friday at 2:30 p.m.

We offer reserved premium seating options for headline shows, including Sarah Silverman & Friends and Blondie with GGOOLLDD. These seats, which include festival admission, VIP-level security, and the best views in the front rows, take the festival experience to the next level.

Stronger together

Don’t forget to select “Charitable Donation” when buying tickets.  Your donations allow our 2016 Plus One beneficiary, The Healing Center, to provide services free of charge for survivors of sexual violence, right here in Walker’s Point. Every Plus One donation — online or at the gates — will change the life of a local survivor.

Your PrideFest ticket purchases support not only our weekend celebration of LGBT culture and community, but critical year-round services through Proud Partners, Milwaukee Pride’s community reinvestment program. 2016 beneficiaries have included the UWM Pride Discovery Camp, Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival, Trans Lifeline, Pathfinders Q*Blok, the Wisconsin LGBTQ Leadership Conference and more.

Contribute to the community experience
We are committed to making PrideFest accessible for all visitors, regardless of their ability to pay. Donate your time as a volunteer, complete your assigned shift, and you’ll receive complimentary admission for the rest of that day. Sign up now.

“As we approach the 30th consecutive annual celebration of local LGBTQ pride, we couldn’t be more honored to be your hosts for a thrilling weekend of triumphant togetherness, where all can live proud,” said Scott Gunkel, president of Milwaukee Pride, Inc.  “This will be a truly amazing year for us all!”

For breaking festival news as it happens, follow Milwaukee Pride on Facebook and Twitter.  Questions?  Contact info@pridefest.com.  

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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