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After San Diego Pride was a mostly virtual event for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, San Diego Pride – highlighted by the 1.5 miles long parade in Hillcrest and the two-day festival in Balboa Park – will return in person in 2022 .
Thursday’s announcement brings the area’s largest civic event back to the streets of San Diego, where it attracts more than 350,000 people annually.
San Diego Pride – founded in 1974 and now, organizers say, the fourth largest Pride event in the United States – was a fully virtual event in 2020, with more than 400,000 people watching the mostly pre-recorded streaming event.
In 2021, organizers held an eight-day celebration that culminated on July 17 with a streamed Pride parade – called Pride Live – which was accompanied by numerous small in-person events across the county.
In 2022, Pride events are slated to start on July 9th and end on July 17th, with the hugely popular and festive parade slated for July 16th.
“Pride brings us together in times of protest, sadness, victory and celebration,” said San Diego Pride Executive Director Fernando Z. López in a statement. “Pride helps us connect with the community and our found family. Pride gives us access to direct life saving services and grants to our local and global LGBTQ community. I am inspired by the thought that our community will come together again. Together we will continue to pursue justice with joy. “
San Diego Pride is usually one of the most anticipated events in the area, drawing hundreds of thousands of people during San Diego’s busiest tourism month, with Comic-Con International and the opening of Del Mar Racing season that same month.
The significance of his return will not pass unnoticed by Julie Coker, President and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority, who emphasized the importance of the annual event, which organizers said has a local economic impact of $ 26.6 million.
“LGBTQ diversity, equality and inclusion are central to our efforts to invite people to our vibrant city because when people feel welcome, they want to visit,” Coker said in a statement. “That’s why we’re so excited to see San Diego Pride return in 2022. It will underscore our friendly, inclusive spirit as it draws visitors to our hotels, restaurants and cultural attractions and boosts our local tourism economy. “
Nathan Fletcher, chairman of the board of directors of San Diego County, confirmed this assessment.
“I’m excited to see the San Diego Pride celebrations return in full force in 2022,” he said. “It is an honor for our region to host one of the largest Pride celebrations in the country. San Diego County’s Pride Month unites communities, supports regional businesses, and benefits people cared for by local nonprofits. As an ally, I stand by our diverse LGBTQ + neighbors as they continue to raise awareness, celebrate LGBTQ + history and strive for justice, opportunity and a future free of prejudice. “
On Thursday, San Diego Council President Jen Campbell praised the announcement.
“I’m excited to see Pride Week return in full in 2022 – its events are real institutions in San Diego,” she said in a statement. “This return shows how far we have come in our fight against COVID-19 and how close we are to returning to normal. Thank you to San Diego Pride, not just for the work you do for these events, but every day to make us a better city for everyone. “
More information is available at sdpride.org/pride.
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