Great Lakes Bay PRIDE Month 2024 • Regional Celebrations Set Through June

Great Lakes Bay Pride is excited to kick off Pride Month 2024 in.the Great Lakes Bay Region this week. Throughout the month of June, Great Lakes Bay Pride and regional partners will host programs and events aimed at educating the community about LGBTQ2S+ issues and celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion in Bay, Saginaw, Midland, and Isabella counties.

The Great Lakes Bay Pride team invites all in the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond to join in celebrating Pride Month this year. You can learn more about each regional event by visiting their website.

Activities and events in June will include the following and more:

Yard Signs: Great Lakes Bay Pride will distribute 2024 yard signs throughout the region. Signs can be picked up on Thursday, May 30 in Bay City, Midland, and Saginaw or Saturday, June 1 in Mount Pleasant. Visit the website for details.

Pop Up Pride in the Park: Great Lakes Bay Pride is hosting the 3rd Pop Up Pride in the Park event on Saturday, June 1st, at Broadway Park in Mount Pleasant.  Pop Up Pride in the Park will feature a Two-Spirit presentation, local LGBTQ+ resources, a kickball game, and more.  Admission is free for this family-friendly event. This is an alcohol and drug-free event out of respect for the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Community.

Pride Night at the Loons: Great Lakes Bay Pride and Dow GLAD have teamed up with the Great Lakes Loons to host the 7th annual Pride Night game on Friday, June 7th. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. at Dow Diamond and will feature local resources along the concourse and a Pride theme throughout the park. 

Pride Month Tea Dance: A new addition to the Pride Month lineup this year is a Sunday afternoon “Tea Dance” taking place on June 16, from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Drydock Beer Garden in downtown Bay City. DJ Club Kid will spin dance tracks and cold beverages will be available for purchase. This event is limited to 18+ years old (21+ to consume alcohol). Tickets are free; an RSVP is requested.

Great Lakes Bay Pride Festival: The regional Great Lakes Bay Pride Festival returns to Wenonah Park in Downtown Bay City on Saturday, June 22nd. The festival opens at 11:00 a.m. and runs until 6:00 p.m. Presented by Dow, the Great Lakes Bay Pride Festival celebrates our regional LGBTQ2S+ community and champions diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for all. The family-friendly event includes a children’s activity area supported by Dow GLAD, live entertainment from regional performers, free on-site health screenings from Great Lakes Bay Health Centers, and over 60 retail and resource vendors. The Great Lakes Bay Pride Festival isfree to attend.

New this year, the After Party Drag Show is happening one week later on Saturday, June 29th, at the Dow Event Center Red Room in downtown Saginaw. Organizers utilized the extra Saturday in June this year to split up the festival and after party, which were previously held on the same day.

“Our volunteers and planning team members are thrilled to not have back-to-back major events on the same day. I think our attendees will also appreciate the break and ability to participate in other Pride Month events in the region after the festival,” said Scott Ellis, Executive Director of Great Lakes Bay Pride and producer of the regional Pride Month celebrations.

After Party Drag Show attendees can enjoy a live DJ and dancing before the show starts. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show will start at 9 p.m. Early bird ticket pricing is available until June 15th and tickets will be available at the door. Admission is limited to 18+ years old; 21+ with valid ID will be required to purchase or consumer alcohol.

PROUD SPONSORS

The annual, regional Pride Month celebrations have grown year after year into a series of programs and events celebrating the LGBTQ2S+ community in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

These programs and events are made possible by the many volunteers, community partners, and sponsors who champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond.

Great Lakes Bay Pride’s regional Pride Month celebration is proudly presented by Dow, and sponsored by Delta College, The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern & Western Michigan, McLaren Bay Region, and Jolt Credit Union.