Pride River Parade flows with rainbows

Don't try to water down the LGBTQ+ community's message of visibility and acceptance in June and Pride month started early with the annual river parade in San Antonio. On May 30, a multitude of proud Marys rolled down the river on decorated barges, waving rainbow flags at every turn.

Texas tourism organization Visit San Antonio created the Pride River Parade in 2022 with an afternoon event that was eventually moved to nighttime to beat the sometimes soaring temperatures. The navigators began their colorful journey at Lexington Avenue, then cruised through the viewing area at the Arneson River Theatre at 418 Villita Street.

Stage performances were held throughout the programmed festivities for hours while spectators waved and cheered from their seats in an elevated outdoor stadium.

The nearby Villita Way offered opportunities for shoppers to explore vendor booths and support many local businesses. Rainbow merchandise was sold on every corner to brighten up the night and add to the celebration.

Drag artist Lyn-Z Andrews returned as hostess for the fifth annual parade and her banter was better than ever. Every year, there are several Go Rio tours mixed into the parade and Andrews acknowledged the straight allies as they passed by the stage.

DJ Vitamin A spun tunes for listeners and hyped up the party people on the hill. This year, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones was the Civic Grand Marshal and influencer Adam Ray Okay was the Grand Marshal.

Professional dancers Grupo Folklorico de Bendiciones celebrated Mexican history and the Swedish retail store Ikea played games with the crowd, followed by a drag show.

The first float shipped out at 8:30 p.m. with a caravan of many more right behind it, lasting until after 9 p.m.

Directly after the last float, Latin singer Alicia C. kept the entertainment going while belting out powerful notes and queer musician Christian Seth Vasquez crossed over the bridge to serenade exuberant fans.

The ending of the Pride parade overlapped with the San Antonio Spurs playoffs and the hometown win invoked honking from cars and extraterrestrial paraphernalia inspired by player Victor “The Alien” Wembanyama.

The party continues as the bars opened up to large lines of revelers ready to dance. Just steps from the River Walk, the Pink Shark at 203 North Presa Street provided a welcoming atmosphere. The Latina-owned establishment opened in 2022 inside a historic building with a street front entrance and a hidden back room. Those who found the secret door were rewarded with a live DJ and a packed dance floor. Lyn-Z and her posse were in attendance to unwind after a job well done that night.

Don't sleep on San Antonio's other queer bars, such as The Pegasus, with five spaces to explore and another North Main Avenue club, The WKND, with themed dance nights.

Don't sleep on San Antonio's other queer bars, such as The Pegasus, with five spaces to explore and another North Main Avenue club, The WKND, with themed dance nights.

June 27 wraps up the rainbows for another year with San Antonio's Pride Bigger Than Texas Festival and Night Parade in Crockett Park during the day and a night parade held on North Main.

For next year's Pride River Parade, stay tuned to visitsanantonio.com. Follow Nunn's photographs from previous years 2024 and 2025 at the link provided.