Pride kicks off in Twin Cities

Twin Cities Pride: where hundreds of thousands proclaim who they are, who they love and embrace togetherness.

“It’s a safe place for people to be....it’s a celebratory time for us,” Dot Belstler, Executive Director of Twin Cities Pride, told Fox 9.

Twin Cities Pride kicked off Friday night in Loring Park in Minneapolis. 

“Just to have a little beer and have some fun,” Brian Olenius said.

50 different vendors lead off Pride festivities by serving up a taste of their unique and festive brews.

Throughout Loring Park and along its periphery Hennepin County sheriff’s deputies, police and security are easy to find.

Private security is also on guard throughout Loring Park.

“We’re really trying to balance what we can do to assure the community that, ‘yes we have a safe environment,’ while not having it be a sea of blue that could potentially threaten other parts of the community,” Belstler said.

Visitors are expected to stop by Twin Cities in record numbers over the weekend; this less than two weeks since the Orlando massacre.

“I think we’re going to see a lot of hugs and tears,” Belstler said. 

The extensive show of support serves to prove one thing: love always wins.

“This year we’re hearing from people that they really need to be here just to heal,” Belstler said. 

Twin Cities Pride events

Twin Cities Pride Festival 
Saturday June 25 at 10 a.m. to Sunday, June 26 at 6 p.m. 
Loring Park, Minneapolis

Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade
Sunday, June 26 
11 a.m. 
3rd Street and Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis 

Rainbow Run 5K
Sunday, June 26 
Boom Island, Minneapolis

A full list of Twin Cities Pride events can be found here