Twin Cities Pride Festival – 32 Years Notable Changes
– © 2004 Original article by Carol Roth. Updated, condensed by J. Olson

Pride in the Twin Cities began in 1972 when a small group of people gathered in Loring Park for a picnic and a march down Nicollet Mall. Since that time, it has grown to become the third largest Pride in the United States, with over 400,000 people attending in 2003. It has also grown from a picnic to six events including the Pride Festival, Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade, Pride Block Party, Pride Art Show, Pride Boat Cruise/Pageant and the Pride Picnic at Como Zoo.