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Saturday's second annual Anacortes pride parade was a rainbow-plus of colors, June 16. Thousands of cheering, clapping, dancing, rainbow flag waving supporters shouted their approval from the sidewalks and curbs along the downtown Commercial Street parade route. Hundreds of happy, proud paraders ranging in age from babes in arms and strollers, to children pulling stuffed animal filled wagons to church contingents to Democrats, PFLAG representatives, motorcycle mamas, queens in drag and more, marched. Of course there were dogs in the parade and On the curb. All got along.

Many wore rainbow and multi- colored capes, leis, tights and tutus, Dr. Seuss hats, were in animal costumes, rode unicorns, waved and passed out rainbow flags, pulled and danced to boom boxes, drummed, blew bubbles and in all ways demonstrated that Anacortes and Skagitonians are diverse, proud, loud and happy to have a chance to share being themselves with the world.

Sequin tights glittered in the sun.

Paraders walked the 10 blocks from 3rd and Commercial streets, then up 10th Street.

When the parade ended at the city's Causland Park that was only the beginning of an afternoon picnic, celebration and entertainment, as the group's promotion put it. Supporters, music, D.J. Heidi and an array of booths were there for an afternoon of speakers and music in celebration of LGBTQIA+ rights and Pride month.

Heidi greeted parade arrivals with "enjoy the beautiful day at the Second Annual Anacortes Pride Parade."

Yard signs stating "We are Anacortes" and "Stronger Together" were at the Anacortes Pride information booth.

Madoc Hiller

ON THEIR WAY, SWINOMISH PRIDE PARADE – Rolling down Sixth Street last Thursday were over 20 vehicles in a car parade celebrating pride month. The second annual Celebrate Swinomish Pride parade went from the La Conner Schools campus through downtown over the Rainbow Bridge to the Reservation.

Equally prevalent with the rainbow pride flag were miniature, hand-held "Progress" pride flags, handed out like candy along the route.

Designed by Daniel Quasar, this flag adds the black and brown stripes from the "Philadelphia's pride flag" with the triangle corner pink, blue and white stripes of the transgender pride flag added to the original pride flag. To many this has become the symbol of Pride Month, states a Boston University website, BU Today. The original flag colors and meaning are pink: sex; red: life; orange: healing; yellow: sunlight; green: nature; turquoise: magic; blue: harmony and violet: spirit.

The 2nd annual Anacortes Pride Parade grew from humble and bumpy beginnings, as stated on the group's website. They gathered in 2021 to: "enter a pride float in the Anacortes 4th of July parade. Over 100 community members participated and, while the reception wasn't 100% positive, much of the city welcomed the new Pride group with cheers and support."

Saturday the many multi-generational family and friends cheering from the curb offered 100% cheers and support.