Champaign-Urbana celebrates first Pride Parade
Sat. September 6, 2014 6:00 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
photo credit // gopride.com staff
Champaign, IL -
Several thousand revelers gathered in downtown Champaign for the 5th annual Champaign-Urbana Pride Festival that was accompanied by the Twin Cities' first Pride Parade.
This year's festival was moved to the downtown streets from its previous home, inside the Lincoln Square Village. Community and student groups from local colleges and high schools mixed with corporate entries and both Democratic and Republican politicians to make for a vibrant day.
Energetic employees from Starbucks, Kraft Foods, Macy's and others kept the crowd cheering with colorful floats, candy and sparkling beads, while state and local politicians greeted constituents along the route.
Photos from the events: Parade photos (1), Parade photos (2), Festival photos
At the festival, a children's zone provided family-friendly entertainment complete with miniature golf and a petting zoo. Fluffy rabbits, hedgehogs and a wise owl greeted children along with snakes and an American alligator.
Conceived and produced by the UP Center of Champaign County, the area LGBT community center, the Champaign-Urbana Pride Festival is held every September to celebrate the vast diversity in the Champaign-Urbana community and welcome back students to The University of Illinois.
This year's sponsors included Bud Light, Kraft Foods, Absolut Vodka, Hyatt, Busey Bank and GoPride Corporation.
This year's festival was moved to the downtown streets from its previous home, inside the Lincoln Square Village. Community and student groups from local colleges and high schools mixed with corporate entries and both Democratic and Republican politicians to make for a vibrant day.
Energetic employees from Starbucks, Kraft Foods, Macy's and others kept the crowd cheering with colorful floats, candy and sparkling beads, while state and local politicians greeted constituents along the route.
Photos from the events: Parade photos (1), Parade photos (2), Festival photos
At the festival, a children's zone provided family-friendly entertainment complete with miniature golf and a petting zoo. Fluffy rabbits, hedgehogs and a wise owl greeted children along with snakes and an American alligator.
Conceived and produced by the UP Center of Champaign County, the area LGBT community center, the Champaign-Urbana Pride Festival is held every September to celebrate the vast diversity in the Champaign-Urbana community and welcome back students to The University of Illinois.
This year's sponsors included Bud Light, Kraft Foods, Absolut Vodka, Hyatt, Busey Bank and GoPride Corporation.