BE A PART OF THE PHOENIX GAY PRIDE PARADE
Saturday, April 18, 2009

PFLAG Phoenix will be in this year's Phoenix Pride Parade -- and we're hoping you'll join us in the parade!  If you've marched with PFLAG before, we don't need to explain anything about the joy and pride you experience as the crowds cheer as PFLAG marches by.  If you've never marched with PFLAG, then you are in for an experience you'll never forget!  Come and experience the magic of PFLAG and help us show the Phoenix community that "we here, we're dear, and we're marching for ALL of them!"

Parade Details:

The 2009 Phoenix Pride Parade kicks off officially at 11:00am.  The parade will take place on 3rd Street beginning at Thomas Road and will head north to Indian School Road.  Parade marchers and parade watchers can cross Indian School Road to enter Steele Indian School Park where the Phoenix Pride Festival will be held.  Parade vehicles will be directed to turn right onto Indian School Road so they can proceed to 7th Street to then find a safe area to "destage".

Marching with PFLAG Phoenix?  When/Where to be:

WHEN:	Line-up for the parade is between 8:30am-10:30am.  If you are marching with us, please be at the parade line-up spot no later than 10:30am.
WHERE:	We expect to be located on the East side of 3rd Street in "Zone 100" (which ranges from Roanoke, one block south of Thomas, on southward to Virginia).  Look for our two vehicles:  a metallic blue BMW convertible and a white Toyota Prius.  We expect to be positioned behind the "Hot Flash Dance Party" group (woo hoo!) and in front of the "Southwest Conference UCC" group.

Other Details . . .

PARKING:	Limited parking MAY be permitted on side streets intersecting with 3rd St between McDowell and Indian School depending on resident requests to Phoenix Police.  Expect several of these streets to be posted for "NO Parade Parking."  Please observe!  Other parking has been available in the northeast corner lots at 3rd St and Indian School, and by entering Steele Indian School Park via Farrington Lane off of Central north of Indian School Rd.   New Alternative This Year -- The New Valley METRO Light Rail Transit System:   Finding parking near the parade route and then having to walk forever to get to wherever one needs to be can be a huge hassle.  Why not consider parking further away from the parade site and taking the Valley METRO light rail train to the parade site?  Here's a few links to help you plan your travel: Valley METRO light rail system map (including system route, train stations, park-and-ride lots) Valley METRO light rail Phoenix section map (close-up of Phoenix light rail section) Parade Marchers:  Consider exiting train at Thomas Road or Encanto Blvd. stations. Parade Watchers:  Consider exiting train at Thomas Road, Osborn Road, or Indian School Road stations. Valley METRO light rail frequencies and travel times Downloadable Valley METRO Ride Guide (including fare info., fare vending machine instructions, etc.)
WALKING:	The actual parade route from Thomas to Indian School is approximately one mile, plus any distances to and from parking and to our parade staging area, so wear comfortable shoes.  Consider the weather!
SIGNS:	We have parade signs that PFLAG members have made for previous parades -- we can "loan" these out to our marchers this year, but we'll also have sign-making materials at our parade staging area -- so, if you want to create a sign of your own, come prepared with your idea!  All we ask is that there be no R-rated material.
BRING:	If you're marching, bring bottled water for yourself.  We'll also have some to hand out.  Check the weather -- you'll be standing in full sunlight for hours, so bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.  If it's going to be warm, you might want one of those handheld personal fans to cool yourself with.  Lastly, bring some Kleenex -- especially if you've never marched in a Pride Parade with PFLAG.  The crowd's enthusiasm and appreciation for PFLAG can be quite overwhelming -- and joyous PFLAG tears are quite the norm!

So, c'mon OUT and march with us!  We'll see YOU there!