Sen. Baldwin to open PrideFest in Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s PrideFest will open June 10 with ceremonies featuring U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., along with other elected officials.

PrideFest, the start of the city’s summer festival season, is in its 30th year. The festival offers the nation’s largest line-up of LGBTQ talent and is the world’s only Pride festival with a permanent festival park.

This year, PrideFest will kick off June 10 with opening ceremonies taking place underneath the dance pavilion at the Summerfest Grounds. Baldwin is scheduled to speak, along with Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele.

Gabriel Sanchez of “The Prince Experience” will lead the national anthem.

PrideFest, set for June 10-12, also will:

• Salute the LGBTQ community and the U.S. Armed Forces with an Armed Forces Pride promotion, welcoming active duty servicemembers and military veterans to attend for free, along with guests.

• Celebrate The Healing Center through the PrideFest Plus One campaign, which asks each ticket buyer to add on a minimum $1 donation. These dollars enable The Healing Center to offer additional counseling, advocacy, legal services and community education for local survivors of sexual violence and their families, free of charge.

• Back the commitment of the United Ethnic Festivals to support the Hunger Task Force and AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin food pantry through the Fests Feed America campaign.

• Welcome a wide variety of both national and local musical acts to its numerous stages, including Blondie, Sarah Silverman & Friends, Big Freedia, DJ Hector Fonseca, Crystal Waters, Deborah Cox, Coco Montrese, GGOOLLDD, Tigernite, REYNA, Lex Allen and more.

On June 10, PrideFest will offer free entry 2:30-4 p.m.

Those planning to attend the opening ceremonies should arrive at the main gates by 2:30 p.m.

PrideFest has been owned and operated by volunteers since 1987. The festival’s heritage traces back to 1974, when 350 people attended the Gay People’s Union Ball, the first “Pride” celebration of its kind in Milwaukee.