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The summer is fading away into the school year and fall but there is still one more thing going on this Labor Day Weekend. This year will mark the 28th Annual Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Allied & Intersex Pride Festival in the Twin Ports. Things have changed quite a bit since the festival got its start in 1984 as far as public perception and laws regarding equality go. We found it best to ask a few members of the Twin Ports community to tell us a little about their experiences and observations about being gay in this area and the Pride festival.

Duluth-Superior Pride will soon be celebrating its 28th annual Labor Day weekend festival. The events will run from Thursday, August 28th until Sunday, August 31st with the festival taking place on Saturday in Bayfront Park. Many of these events are family friendly and will be FREE of charge. The weekend will celebrate equality, tolerance and compassion for all people, regardless of sexual orientation. Mark your calendars now for a holiday weekend of fun!

Thursday, August 28th

The Mayor’s Reception and Weekend Opening (FREE) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Depot Heritage and Arts Center, 506 West Michigan St., Duluth, MN. Duluth Mayor Don Ness and the Duluth City Council sponsor this reception welcoming visitors and residents to the opening of our DS Pride celebration. We will honor outstanding contributors to the GLBTAQI community, enjoy live music by the Yea Scherz, see aerialist Alex Loch perform in the heights of the Depot, and a social with food generously provided by Scott Graden of the New Scenic Café. This event is also sponsored by A Touch of Plasch and Eric Huie.

Fagbug Nation Film Showing ($5.00) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Zinema 2, 222 East Superior St., Duluth, MN. A discussion with filmmaker Erin Davies to follow.

Friday, August 29th

Jitter’s Poetry Reading (FREE) at 6 p.m. at Jitter’s Coffee House, 102 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN. The poetry reading provides an all-ages, alcohol-free opportunity for local writers to read selections of their own works.

Saturday August 30th:

8th Annual Hummingbird Family 5K Fun Run/Walk (race entry with T-shirt: $20, kids age 11 and under race FREE, optional T-shirt: $10) with registration at 8:30 a.m. and start time at 9 a.m. on the Western Lake Superior Waterfront Trail, 7408 Grand Ave., Duluth, MN. This event honors an outstanding member of our community, Hummingbird, and his generous contributions to the GLBTAQI community. The course is level grade, gravel base, running out and back from the parking lot entrance to the trail. Just turn at the Willard Munger Inn, drive behind it and cross the railroad tracks to the parking area. Strollers, and leashed dogs are welcome on this beautiful, winding course along the St. Louis River. This fun event promotes healthy living and interaction. Costumes and lots of colors are strongly encouraged! Register anytime by the Duluth-Superior Pride website (dspride.com.) Pick up T-shirts and register in person at the Flame Nightclub, 28 N. 1st Ave. W., Duluth, MN, Friday, August 29th from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. T-shirts will be limited and may not be available for the day of the race. Same-day registration is available beginning at 8 a.m. on the race day at the Waterfront Trail. This is a great way to start the day before heading down to Pride Festival!

Pride Festival in the Park (FREE) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, MN. The festival will be held for the 10th year in the beautiful, panoramic park. There will be two beer tents, an exciting group of exhibitors and vendors, and games/activities for children and families. Also, our first ever craft beer tent featuring Bent Paddle Brewing Company and Sociable Cider Werks. The date will be filled with music and entertainment including Steve Grand, Svet, Branden James, Cheesa and Ariana & the Rose. Local talent includes Meliante, Minnesota Ballet, Flame Dancers, Rachael Kilgour and speakers, Ken Browell and Kathy Heltzer.

Pride Historical Collection (FREE) 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Bayfront Park, Duluth, MN. This will be curated by Dan Hartman and Margie Nelson and will feature over 28 years of history in the twin ports.

Pride’s Block Party (COVER CHARGE) will be from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Flame Nightclub, 1612 Tower Avenue and at the Main Club, 1217 Tower Ave., Superior, WI. This year brings you the biggest, most diverse Pride Block Party ever. Both bars are joining forces to have something for everyone. There is a $10 cover charge that gains entry to BOTH BARS all night, payable at the door of either bar. Wristbands can also be purchased at the festival for only $8, which means no waiting in line at the door. The entire door charge goes to Duluth-Superior Pride, which helps keep the festival free each year. The Main Club brings you a live DJ spinning throughout the night. The Main Club’s dance floor will be packed for dancing to hot and sexy club beats. Music begins at 9 p.m. The Flame Nightclub will host a huge outdoor party. Check out both bars.

Sunday, August 31

Worship Service (FREE) 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth, 835 W. College St., Duluth, MN.

Pride Parade (FREE) at noon the parade will glide down Tower Ave. towards Belknap Ave. Line up for the parade will be at Broadway and Tower Ave. from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Fruit Float ($40 per ticket, 21+) boat cruise is at 3:15 p.m. You must have the ticket to board–NO EXCEPTIONS. Vista Fleet, 323 Harbor Dr., Duluth, MN. This rowdy, original, and highly-animated ride is the highlight of the weekend’s festivities! Be sure to get your tickets now. With food, frocks, leather, and laughs provided, who wouldn’t have fun? Music provided by David Vipond. Grab a drink from the cash bar and strap on your dinghy for our gay version of a three-hour tour. Boat boards at 3:15 p.m. and departs on 3:45 p.m. sharp! Fair warning! Return time is approximately 6:45 p.m.

Foo Foo Choo Choo pre-boarding party starts at the Depot, 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth, MN at 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (FREE) The ride departs at 3:30 p.m. ($30 per ticket 21+) You must have the ticket to board–NO EXCEPTIONS. Join the fun for a three-hour scenic train ride up the beautiful shores of Lake Superior. This is an annual party with food, cash bar, live DJ, dancing and amazing views while you travel on the rails of the North Shore Scenic Railroad. Free food is provided in part by Sammy’s Pizza, serving roasted chicken, classic Sammy’s pizza and Caesar salad. Sorry, but this event is NOT handicap accessible.

Annual Drag Show Fundraiser ($5 Cover) at 8 p.m. at the Main Club, 1217 Tower Ave., Superior, WI. This annual event raises money for those living with HIV/AIDS in Northeast Minnesota and Northwest WI. Door proceeds and donations go directly to benefit those living with HIV/AIDS in our region and to provide awareness and prevention programs. Come see the big hair and fantastic frocks!

Check out all the fun events and be sure to look for the rainbow colors on Enger Tower Wednesday through Saturday night! For more information about Duluth-Superior Pride or to purchase tickets, please go to the website, dspride.com. Pride Guide publications can be located all around town and contain more information about events and the sponsors of the Festival. Duluth-Superior Pride wishes to thank the “Reader Weekly” for their continued support and sponsorship of the festival.