Up North Pride has planned another event-filled Pride Month throughout the next month.
The month of June has been recognized as Pride Month throughout the country for decades, with events ranging from marches and parades to large, multi-day festivals celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
“While Up North Pride’s large Pride Week festivities are held in September, we are very excited to kick off the summer and celebrate Pride Month,” said Adrienne Brown-Reasner, executive director of Up North Pride. “We have been working hard with our partners, sponsors, and volunteers to plan out a series of events to bring people together and really highlight the volunteers to plan our a series of events to bring people together and really highlight the inclusive and welcoming community we are fortunate to have here in northern Michigan.”
Up North Pride hosted or cohosted June Pride Month events include:
• Family Field Day, Sunday, June 1, from 1 to 4 p.m., Northwestern Michigan College campus in Traverse City. There will be yard games, story times, art activities, and more.
• Drag Bingo, Friday, June 6 at Iron Fish Distillery near Thompsonville. There will be two rounds of bingo, from 5 to 7 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Special guests for the night are The Northern Michigan Dragwives. Tickets are $25 and the event is open to all ages. Parental discretion is advised. Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/ DragBingo25.
• Pride Night at the Ballpark, Thursday, June 12, 7:05 p.m., Turtle Creek Stadium, Grawn. Pride section tickets will provide access to an exclusive Pride Night hat, as well as food deals, colorful drinks, family activities and themed games between innings. Tickets for the event can be purchased at http://traverse- city-pit-spitters.nwltickets. com/Ticket/Packages..
• Pride Ride, Tuesday, June 17, F&M Park in Traverse City, 6 p.m. Norte will lead a fun, family bike ride through downtown Traverse City. Participants can decorate their bikes, hear route information and then get rolling through town.
• Teen Open Mic Night, 6 p.m. Friday, June 20 at Eugene’s Record Shop, 345 E. Front St. in Traverse City. Teens are invited to express themselves through music, poetry spoken word, and more at the first Up North Pride Teen Open Mic Night. Open to anyone age 14 to 18. Advanced registration is not required.
• Rainbow Run, Saturday, June 21, 8 a.m. to noon, Boardman Loop (Hull Park), 660 Hannah Ave., Traverse City. TART Trails & Up North Pride are coming together to host the third annual Rainbow Run, a color fun run and fundraiser around the Boardman Lake Loop Trail. There will be music and refreshments before and after the run.
• Community Movie Night, Wednesday, June 25, 7 p.m., the State Theater in Traverse City, “PARIS IS BURNING.”
• Up North Pride & Firelight Coalition Anniversary of Stonewall Event, Saturday, June 28, 4 to 10 p.m., TC Whiskey, 201 E. 14th St. The community will gather to celebrate and honor the anniversary of Stonewall and the movement that followed.
In addition to these special events, Up North Pride will also still be holding monthly events such as game night, art night, meet up at Little Fleet, Book Club at Folded Leaf.
A full schedule of events is available at upnorthpride.com.
